Mr A complained about Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s handling of matters relating to Children’s Social Services. Mr A’s concerns included alleged failures regarding safeguarding concerns. He also raised new concerns, which did not appear to have been previously considered.
The Ombudsman found that Mr A’s complaint relating to a safeguarding investigation involved a multi-agency decision and was therefore not suitable for consideration under the Council’s social services complaints procedure, nor for further consideration by the Ombudsman. While the Council had responded to some of the remaining concerns, it had not provided Mr A with the opportunity to progress his complaint formally under the statutory process, and additional concerns had been raised which required clarification. The Ombudsman decided to settle the complaint without investigation.
The Ombudsman sought and gained the Council’s agreement to, within 2 weeks contact Mr A to clarify and agree the scope of his complaint, and confirm that, where sufficient clarification is provided, the concerns will be considered under the Social Services Complaints Procedure (Wales) Regulations 2014.