Family Rights Group | Kinship carers’ Forum

Any advice out there on what to write in a stage 2 complaint letter.
SS have had there 20 days on the stage 1 and I haven't heard anything from them, I can't just send in the same letter surely?
Cheers.

Spex

Hi Spex, I would include everything you refer to here when they visit you so that they can sift through it all. When we went to our Stage 2 complaint the Independent Investigating Officer found when he visited with colleague that we had 12 separate complaints, from what we thought were only 3 or 4! He upheld 9 of those in his report, if my memory serves me right. Good luck with the visit and let us know how it goes.

It's too bad you having to take your niece such a long way for respite, and that it means her missing her athletics group. The positive though is that it means they accept the need for respite, so hopefully you can now argue for it to take place closer to home.

Hi Clairespex

It is quite normal for the person who will be investigating the complaint to visit the person making the complaint, in order to agree on the terms of the complaint. This would often involve going through the letter of complaint that has been written, and pulling out what the specific complaints are and listing them as a series of points. The aim is to give them a brief for their investigation which will be focused on the particular issues you want to complain about.

It is important for them that you give your agreement to this brief. It will probably be shorter than your original letter of complaint, so you should make sure that none of the key points of your complaint have been left out. If you're not sure by the end of the meeting, then you can ask the complaints officer to leave it with you to read through and think over - though they will probably want you to agree or change it there and then while they are visiting, so they can get on with the investigation.

It is certainly worth pointing out that while, as Kate has pointed out, they have accepted the need in principle to offer respite, it is hardly very child centred to offer it at a distance of 100 miles, with the amount of travelling that will involve for your niece. A request for respite closer to home where she will be able to mmaintain her routines and activities is perfectly reasonable.

David R
FRG Policy Adviser

Hi Clairespex, it sounds like a service failure,to be sure that you reserve your rights to escalate the complaint if required remember that
the time period you have to notify the LGO is a year from the time when you first became aware of the matters forming the basis of the complaint. There is nothing stopping you formalizing your complaint with the L.G.O. now in case the council delay in their report.

Importantly you will need to carefully word your complaints so that they would fall within the jurisdiction of the LGO It is worth taking a little time over this. If the complaint is worded correctly it will demonstrate that you are ahead of the game so to speak.

By the way, the L.G.O. have now agreed to investigate my complaints, only took 3 years! Best of luck though with yours, there is nothing to say that they will not be able to resolve yours.

Best wishes

By the way, the L.G.O. have now agreed to investigate my complaints, only took 3 years!

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Glad to hear this youngagain [:D]

Hi Kate, happy to hear that they are investigating your complaints[8D]

Update, Ombudsman is investigating most of our complaints, have a letter stating this. They have removed one complaint from my list for the second time. Assistance Ombudsman agrees that it should be included
but has declined to comment why they removed it from the list. I am preparing a file to send to the Attorney generals office.

Hi again,
To update, the respite in Bradford has totally unsettled my niece resulting in her behaviour worsening and her being excluded from school. She has also started running away and being violent towards me again. SS have took her back up to Bradford for extended respite while they decide if my house is 'the best place for her'. I have clearly stated that I want her back with me but that respite MUST be local so that she can move on with her life with me and put the bad memories of Bradford behind her.
I fear they are going to take her off me because they can't cope with providing us with support 80 miles away. SW even said on the phone 'it's about what's manageable'.
If they decide she can't return to me I will continue to pursue the complaint as I feel they must accept responsibility for messing up her life by putting her in their only other option - residential care rather than provide us with the support we need. I've informed the IRO, the Investigating Officer and the Independent Person. Is there anythign else I can do?
Cheers.

Spex

Hi yes, you can contact the LGO by email,go straight to the assistant ombudsman, they can intervene especially if the child's welfare is at risk.if the ss have done anything that is proven to be neglect or you have evidence that they have not acted in the child's best interest (please look up) then I report it to the police.I would also report it to my local M.P. and the chief executive of the council in question and let all of them know who has been informed.This may make them think twice.