Ombudsman
Ombudsman warns councils over hidden disabilities
Councils are being urged to check their procedures to avoid disadvantaging people with ‘hidden disabilities’ following Ombudsman investigations at three London authorities.
Ombudsman reprimands council over support for vulnerable people
Councils have been reminded of their obligations to support vulnerable people by the Ombudsman after Suffolk CC halted assessments for a deafblind couple’s care plans because of a dispute.
MPs express 'sympathy' over Ombudsman's funding plea
MPs have backed calls to boost funding for the stretched Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in the face of Whitehall resistance.
'Much more to do' to improve quality of Northamptonshire CC services
There is ‘much more to do’ to improve the quality of Northamptonshire CC’s services, two Government-appointed commissioners have told Whitehall.
Local government ombudsman warns of looming funding crisis
The ombudsman service could begin to suffer unless funding is increased, MPs have been told.
Standards bearers
The local standards regime for councils has faced allegations that it is insufficiently robust. Will the 20th report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life on ethics in local government lead to positive change? Heather Jameson reports
Norfolk investment after Ombudsman criticisms
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) today said Norfolk CC ‘failed’ two boys with special educational needs (SEN) – the 11th similar complaint upheld in the last two years.
Don’t throw out the rule book with the bath water
Like all complainants, the Local Government Ombudsman is both a nuisance and an asset, but his latest message is clear, says Michael Burton: Don't lose the focus on the frontline.
Don't dump the rule book under pressure, LGO warns councils
Councils have been warned not to let budget squeezes and disruption caused by change programmes to land them in trouble with the Ombudsman.
The power of perceptions
Managing perceptions and changing behaviour are set to become critical for councils – and Mark Fletcher-Brown says what works in commerce could also be usefully applied in public services
The sector’s critical friend
Martin Ford talks to Mike King about his ombudsman responsibilities and the challenge facing local authorities struggling to maintain services under growing financial strain
Complaints increase while satisfaction drops
Complaints to the ombudsman have increased by 3.5% while Smith Square data has revealed the lowest level of residents’ satisfaction with councils since polling began.
Ombudsman tells councils to avoid support plan delays
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has told councils they must avoid unnecessary delays when creating Education, Health and Care (EHC) support plans for children.
Rotherham apologises for misleading whistle-blower
Rotherham MBC has issued a formal apology to child sexual abuse whistle-blower Jayne Senior after officials misled her during an internal investigation.
Praise councils for good work, says ombudsman
Local authorities should be commended when they act upon ombudsman recommendations instead of just being reprimanded for poor performance, the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) has said.
Latest Ombudsman's report reignites the outsourcing debate
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s recent report, Lifting the lid on bin complaints, has reignited the debate around outsourced services and whether local government gets value for money from such contracts.
Counties and districts clash over DFG spend
Furious rows have been erupting around the country with counties and districts clashing over which authority is better placed to spend the disabled facilities grant (DFG).
Outsourcing blamed for bin complaints increase
The outsourcing of waste collections by councils in England has led to an increase in the number of complaints being upheld by the ombudsman, a new report has warned today.
Councils urged to review homelessness procedures
Councils have been urged to ensure their homelessness procedures are ‘fit for purpose’ after faults were found with the treatment of a disabled woman.
Authority denies abusing legal powers
A council has hit back at a government watchdog after being accused of abusing legal powers to halt the publication of complaints against it.