In 2023/24, the Ombudsman investigated only two cases about Children’s Services, maintaining a low volume consistent with previous years (two cases in 2021/22 and three in 2022/23).

One case resulted in a finding of maladministration and injustice, due to a long delay in completing a Stage 2 investigation, which led to the Council offering a £100 payment and a Stage 3 review panel. The other case was not investigated, as further review was deemed unlikely to change the outcome.

The continued low number of Ombudsman investigations shows that most complaints continue to be resolved successfully at the earlier stages of our complaints process.

Ombudsman case volumes over the last five years

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