Rulebook · Way to challenge

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

An independent body that investigates complaints about councils. This includes delay in assessments, plans and reviews, help in a plan not being arranged, Tribunal orders not carried out on time, and social care. It normally looks at a complaint only after the council's own complaints process has finished. It is free.

Who can use it: The person affected, or someone acting for them, such as a parent for a child. Time limit: Normally within 12 months of when the person affected first knew about the problem. It can decide to accept a later complaint.

Alongside other ways

A complaint to the Ombudsman about delay or other matters can be made while a decision is also appealed to the Tribunal. It will not usually look at the same decision the Tribunal can deal with.

Cost

Free.

What it can do

• It can find fault and recommend that the council apologise, make a payment, arrange missed provision, or change how it works.
• The council must consider its report and tell it, normally within 3 months, what action it will take.

What it cannot do

• It cannot usually investigate a decision that can be appealed to the Tribunal, unless it is satisfied it was not reasonable to expect an appeal.
• It cannot overturn a council decision or make orders like the Tribunal.
• It cannot investigate action about teaching, conduct, curriculum, internal organisation, management or discipline in a council-maintained school, except so far as it relates to special educational needs.
• Its recommendations are not legally binding.

Type of rule

Law (Act or Regulations)This is the law, set by an Act of Parliament or by Regulations.

Rule id

route.lgsco

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

Sources

• Local Government Act 1974, s 26(5)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Local Government Act 1974, s 26(6)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Local Government Act 1974, s 26BLaw (Act or Regulations)
• Local Government Act 1974, s 31(2)Law (Act or Regulations), to verifyStill open: whether the official revised text of s 31(2) says the same, and whether it applies only to a report finding injustice (a s 30 report).
• Local Government Act 1974, Sch 5 para 5(2)Law (Act or Regulations)

Related

• The council's duty to secure the provision (section 42)
• Personal budget
• Health and social care recommendations (extended appeals)
• Tribunal orders and the time limits to follow them
• Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)
• Social care in an EHC plan (Sections D, H1 and H2)
• School transport

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