Decision Report 202401251

Summary

C complained in relation to their late child (A) and the actions of the social work services. A suffered from significant and life-limiting health conditions. During the final months of A’s life, a number of healthcare and education professionals raised concerns about C’s approach to A’s medical needs and care. Social workers made contact with C and initiated a child protection investigation, which ultimately did not establish child protection issues.

C complained that contact that they received from the partnership, both via the phone and in person, was harassing and unreasonable. C considered that the partnership failed to recognise that the reports of other agencies were inaccurate, and harassing in nature, and had displayed bias by ignoring C’s views in this regard.

We took independent advice from an experienced social worker. We found that it was evident that healthcare professionals had been concerned about A and had notified social workers of these concerns. In making enquiries and initiating a child protection investigation, social work services had followed the process set out in the National Guidance for Child Protection and in doing so had acted appropriately. While we recognise the difficult circumstances involved, I did not uphold C’s complaint.