Corporate complaints and compliments policy
Section 8 - Referring complainants to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or Housing Ombudsman
84. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Service or Housing Ombudsman can assist throughout the life of a complaint. This affords you the opportunity to engage with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or Housing Ombudsman dispute support advisors.
85. You will be provided with advice, at the point a complaint is acknowledged, regarding your right to access the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or Housing Ombudsman Service and not just at the point the council's Corporate Complaints or Housing process has been exhausted.
86. This is an independent service set up by the Government to investigate complaints about councils. You can refer your complaint at any time during the course of an investigation by the council. However, it is usually expected the council's complaints procedures will be exhausted before involving the Ombudsman.
87. The council will fully co-operate with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or Housing Ombudsman investigation and consider any remedies proposed. The Ombudsman will decide whether or not the Council has acted unfairly or if you have suffered an injustice as a result of maladministration. A report on the Ombudsman's findings will be sent to the Council.