Public Services Ombudsman for Wales raps county council over child protection shortcomings

An investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has found “serious shortcomings” in Pembrokeshire County Council’s handling of a father’s concerns about the welfare of his son when in his mother’s care.

Mr W had complained that the local authority delayed responding when he said his son was at risk of harm and suffered from neglect which should have been addressed earlier. The father was also unhappy that the council did not keep him informed, even though he had parental responsibility.

The Ombudsman, Peter Tyndall, ruled that:

• Although social workers were aware of the mother’s family history, early assessments did not address the need to ensure that the mother acknowledged the risks and kept her children safe, and
• A referral that A was being left alone with a second close family member, who had been convicted of child abuse, was not properly investigated. Subsequent enquiries prompted a child protection conference.

The Ombudsman said that the council had been slow to initiate child protection proceedings despite referrals from the emergency services. This pointed to an 18-month delay before the child was registered at risk. Measures should have been taken sooner to safeguard him and to promote his welfare, the report said.

Referrals from the child’s school had been made but there was no record of the council’s response. The Ombudsman concluded that the concerns of the school nurse and the head teacher had not been taken into account. The failure to respond did not accord with the spirit of multi-agency working, the report added.

The Ombudsman recommended that the council pay the child £5,000 and the father £500 for the shortcomings in its complaints handling. The council has also been asked to provide audits of child protection referrals.

The full ruling can be downloaded here.