LG & SC Ombudsman Reviews 

I Recently found out that The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is a BIASED AND RACIST ORGANISATIONS Operating under the PRETENSE of being impartial and fair. The money that the Government WASTE ON THESE TYPE OF NON PRODUCTIVE ORGANISATIONS COULD BE USE TO IMPROVE POOR CONDITIONS IN SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS.

The Investigator contacted LEWISHAM COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION REGARDING MY CASE THAT HAS BEEN WAITING ON ALLOCATION FOR MONTHS. A few days later he clearly took BRIBE from Lewisham Council to Close my Case without Valid REASON or even contacting me to discuss why he wasn’t able to investigate.
The reason the Investigator decided to close the Case without even contacting me is because he knew from the documents received from Lewisham council that there’s a good prospect of finding multiple Failings on Lewisham path and because the previous complaint found multiple failing without appropriate redress, it would really show up Lewisham Council incompetence and how they are failing Vulnerable Adults and Children. This service needs to be abolished/ scrapped as it’s an absolute sham and a waste of taxpayer money.

Terrible, took nearly 7 months to allocate an officer to review my case, I actually think they forgot about it and just wanted me out of the way. My dispute was over planning, they went from telling me there was a case to answer by the council and then at the 11th hour changed their minds saying I lived too far away from the subject civic building. I live 300 meters away, they wouldn't then consider my submission. I asked for justification for their response and where was the specified distance written down. They refused to answer me. Their procedures talk of transparency and open communications with the public. These are merely words. To describe them in a word.....Arrogant.

Not impartial from the beginning. Didn't consider any of my evidence. Just put down everything the Council said and nothing about what I said. No point having a draft decision when they don't bother looking at comments like they claim they do. They didn't change anything for the final decision even when I had provided proof in the form of emails. The Investigators manual isn't being followed at all.

I have submitted several complaints to the Ombudsman — all related to my child’s EHCP and social care package. In every case there was a clear fault on the part of the Council. Unfortunately, the Ombudsman now appears to be siding with the Council.

I have seen draft decisions where the Ombudsman seemed to make up their own rules. By law, the local authority must provide the provision ordered by the Tribunal within five weeks of the order date, but the Ombudsman stated that the Council could take at least three months to provide this provision.

Hydrotherapy was not provided by the Council for more than 12 months, yet the Ombudsman said this was acceptable because no local hydrotherapy was available — even though I had specifically requested a personal budget to arrange it myself. These are only examples.

Each time, I had to request an independent, final Ombudsman decision, and fortunately my requests were upheld, the cases were reopened, and the correct decisions were eventually made.

However, it is deeply worrying and frightening that families must fight even with the Ombudsman — an organisation that is supposed to understand and apply the law fairly, not take the Council’s side against the law. What happens to people who are not as determined as I have been?

Immaculate service from our Investigator who was phenomenal throughout dealing with our case. All the information we sent across was considered thoroughly and we felt very listened to during the entire process as communication was consistent. They act impartially so some elements may not be favourable however, justice was served in our case and highly recommend.

Don't waste your time, they completely protect the council at any cost. Cases are closed at the start, to save investigating serious complaints.

No justice. No equality. Just councils protected at all costs. This organisation doesn’t serve the people, it should be scrapped - complete waste of tax payers money. A joke of an organisation. A waste of time and public money and they don't even review the evidence properly.

Zero stars, actually
I was referred to LGO by Glos CC as we could not agree on payment for a bill for my late mothers care (even charged for months after she passed).
According the to LGO they will only take on a case if it was within 12 months of the Councils Complaint process being followed and no agreement. I opened a case with the LGO 2 days after the CC said "go to the ombudsman"....and yet the LGO took 8 weeks then said "sorry you took too long to submit. Closing case". And that...was that. What a complete waste of time. This org should be shut down, as it is wasting time and money.

If I could give zero stars, I would. The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman presents itself as an independent body, but in my experience it’s little more than a rubber stamp for councils. They appear to side with local authorities almost by default, dismissing or downplaying clear evidence of wrongdoing. This service seems designed to give the illusion of accountability while protecting the organisations it’s supposed to scrutinise. For members of the public seeking justice, it’s frustrating, demoralising, and ultimately pointless. I would strongly advise anyone not to pin their hopes on this body — it’s a box-ticking exercise, not a real safeguard.

Wow. I had evidence of extreme bias regarding Lancashire childrens social services. It took them months to even look at the case and when they did they refused to look in to it further and didn't acknowledge the evidence. They're as bent as childrens social services. There's no wonder there's so much child abuse and the country is in such a state. There's no accountability and they need investigating themselves. They're fundamentally here to cover up incompetence and dodgy behaviours of their partners (social services). Everybody on here can't be wrong.

USELESS RE LIVERPOOL SOCIAL SERVICES! MY SISTER PLACED IN NURSING HOME OVER THREE YEARS AGO! SHE NEEDS HIP REPLACEMENT! SHOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT HOSPITAL. NHS AND PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN WERE USELESS. THEN REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN WHO SAID ITS NOW TOO LATE. CANNOT GET RECORDS. LEFT ROTTING IN NURSING HOME. TOLD GO FOR TWO WEEKS FREE OF CHARGE. NOW FOURTH BIRTHDAY LYING IN BED

Local authorities refer you to the LG&SCO knowing full well they're not going to do anything, you can almost hear them laughing when they suggest it. Local authorities have nothing to fear from a LGO investigation as they know that they are totally ineffective, incompetent, lethargic and apathetic. Do you think the LGO worry about complains and one star reviews? Of course not they have no customer base or competitors, their funding is guaranteed by the tax payer. Roll on Reform Government i hope they can sort out this mess of an organisation.

Clearly linked to government and councils. South Cambs were acting illegally to save money and case officer agreed in findings. The outcome was for South Cambs to apologies and promise not to do it again. 5 months later, South Cambs worse than ever and must be laughing at Ombudsman. Reported there actions and was told Ombudsmen not prepared to do anything as case closed and South Cambs "promised to be better". Department should be closed down as such a waste of everyone's time and money.
I'm off to commit a few crimes now and hoping if get caught, police ask me to promise not to do it again then let me go. As long as I have my fingers crossed I think I will be ok ;)

An appalling organisation which is totally dysfunctional and basically incompetent. I speak as somebody who has been notified by LGSCO that it has found Midlands Partnership(Staffordshire County Council Adult Social Services) of a finding of maladministration against Midlands Partnership. The LGSCO would only investigate part of my complaint.
My advice to anyone else is don't waste your time with this incompetent organisation. Instead put in Subject Access Requests to the authorities being complained about.I have just received the results of my latest SAR to Midlands Partnership. Fifty seven pages confirming that Midlands Partnership had lied to LGSCO and the LGSCO were complicit in this mendacity. However, I have all of the information that I need with dates, data and more importantly the names of those involved. I intend to put all of this information in due course in the public domain.No need for me to go for an expensive judicial review when all of the information is in my possession.
Thank you LGSCO for assisting me due to your incompetence.!!!!!

As nasty an organisation as you can get. Dealing with them is like dealing with school kids and being back at primary school. They cannot answer simple questions, discriminate, patronise, refuse to accept complaints. They are a bunch of egos on a power trip. The worst thing I can say about this ombudsman is that their behaviour is worse than the council they investigate and it’s funded by the taxpayer. A complete waste of space

Thoroughly disappointed with the services, my case was closed without any notification. When i called to find out what happened the investigator basically said i posted a message on the portal and got no error messages so it's not my fault. My case was dismissed with them heavily siding with the local planning authority even when I've provided 25 documents and emails including an acknowledgement that they were wrong once i appointed a legal specialist who was paid at my expense. This issue has cost a working class family thousands of pounds in unnecessary tick box costs, has caused several anxiety issues and took a year and three separate applications for a simple approval. The financial burden has forced us to sell our family home to pay off credit cards while my partner was pregnant, thanks for making me waste even more of my time on a pointless endeavour.

Do not Trust LGSCO Investigator Matthew King or His Manager Assistant Ombudsman Suzanne De Planta. Consumers are not Satisfied with this Business or The Conduct of Staff Members. The Reviews on here are a Reflection of this. 98% of TrustPilot Reviews Regarding this Organisation Only Have a One Star Rating. I Was Directed to this Organisation by Housing Ombudsman Adjudicator Jenny Tilling (Case Reference ID : 202108038) Regarding the Bad Handling of a Community Trigger / ASB Review by The Local Authority (Ref : 040223) HO Adjudicator Jenny Tilling stated to me that the Handling of Community Triggers / ASB Reviews comes under the "Jurisdiction" of the LGSCO to Investigate. The LGSCO & HO are Simply a "Delaying Extension" of the Local Authorities Complaint Process funded by the MHCLG and assists Corrupt Council's & their Black & White Lies not Members of the Public. The Ethnics of this Company are Questioned by a Significant Number of Reviewers all stating this Organisation does not Protect or Assist Members of the Public. The LGSCO & HO are Services that "Protect" Landlords / Local Authorities...not Consumers & Members of the Public. Tenants who don't want to live in "Sub-standard" Accommodation where Social Housing Providers are "Breaking the Housing Rules & Regulations" have to take their own Action & not solely rely on the LGSCO or HO These Organisations will "Protect" the Landlord at all costs...regardless of how much rock solid evidence you submit. Civil Servants are NOT above the Law. Bevan Brittan Ref : (BB-M.F106023546)

An extension of the councils complaint process, waste of time. Agency set up to fool the public into thinking that the council will be held accountable or that any reccomendations will be enforced.
Only plus is you might finally get a council apology and reply to your query, but this is after several months of waiting and they provide you with a standard answer they should have in the first place.

I mean even in the first reply notification regarding my complaint the confidently says "You have the right to escalate your complaint at any time via the LGSO Ombudsman..." says it all. all not fit for purpose, and don't serve the vulnerable or local people, the council are probably waiting for a envelope full of cash to land on their desk before they treat us with care.

The LGO (Local Government Ombudsman) is a completely ineffective and bureaucratic black hole. Despite clearly following the correct complaint process with Transport for London and providing all the documentation, they’ve done nothing but bounce back the case with template responses and zero initiative. Their refusal to engage or even acknowledge the substance of the issue is appalling.

It’s outrageous that this organisation is funded by public money. If this is what government grants are supporting, layers of pointless admin instead of actual help; then funding should be cut immediately. They serve no practical purpose for citizens seeking accountability from public bodies.

Useless, Birmingham City Council referred them to me, i was told they cant and wont do anything about missed bin collections. Literally will have you going around in circles, i will be booking time off all my rubbish will be delivered directly to the case worker who dealt with my query Robert Heath