Ombudsman criticises way council handled investigation into carer

A North East council failed to follow its policy when conducting a safeguarding investigation against a carer, a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) investigation has found.

The LGO was critical of the way South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council failed to send an investigation report to the man before safeguarding meetings, meaning he was not able to correct factual errors before the council came to a decision on the allegations made.

The investigation also found the council failed to record correctly how it looked at the allegations against the man, failed to consider his complaints through its complaints process, and failed to direct him to the Ombudsman when he was unhappy with its response.

The LGO has asked South Tyneside to:

• apologise to the man
• pay him £400 to recognise the impact of avoidable delay, distress, uncertainty and time and trouble
• provide a copy of its current procedure and say how it complies with current law and guidance, and
• remind all relevant staff of the importance of accurately recording safeguarding meetings and decisions.

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said: “People have a right to be treated fairly during any investigation, and that includes having access to any reports written about them before crucial meetings take place.

“I now call on South Tyneside Council to look again at my report and consider the actions it will take in response, to improve its processes and procedures for future investigations.”