Ombudsman
Call for dedicated social care appeals
Fewer than one in five councils have a dedicated appeals process for social care, according to new research.
Ombudsman censures Bexley over response to complaint
Bexley LBC has come under heavy criticism from the Local Government Ombudsman after failing to make agreed improvements to school transport applications for disabled children.
HEALTH MJ: More elderly people have to sell homes to fund long-term care
Around 400 pensioners sell their homes each week to pay for social care, according to the latest research.
Nine in 10 complaints about SEND provision upheld by Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is receiving more complaints about education, health and care plans (EHCP) than ever before – and the vast majority are being upheld.
Care complaints becoming 'ever more serious'
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) is having to carry out a higher proportion of detailed investigations, suggesting complaints about adult care are becoming ‘ever more serious’.
Preserving the delicate balance
Bob Neill says that in too many cases the delicate balance between recovering what is owed to councils and providing a duty of care to the vulnerable is not being achieved.
Brum bin apology
Birmingham City Council has agreed to apologise to 17 people after the Local Government Ombudsman criticised it for repeated missed bin collections.
Children's services, adult social care top list of complaints
Most complaints about councils received by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) in 2018/19 concerned education, children’s services and adult social care.
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.