Kinship care: how the Ombudsman can help to remedy injustice Nigel Ellis Executive Director, Local Government Ombudsman

The Ombudsman’s experience For nearly 40 years the Ombudsman has independently investigated complaints about councils and others If we find something wrong, we ask the council to take action to put it right We received over 1,500 complaints about children’s services over the last year alone Significant increase in complaints from family and friends carers over the last months

Two important reports issued last year

Investigation into Liverpool City Council August 2013 Focus Report on family and friends care November 2013

Investigation into Liverpool City Council August 2013 The investigation was brought about after a woman, who had been looking after her toddler nephew following a domestic violence incident, complained that the council was not paying her the correct benefits.

Liverpool council pays out £1.25m to underpaid children’s carers

Special Guardianship Order allowances £762,000 has been paid to 172 recipients of Special Guardianship Order allowances 24 recipients of SGO allowances have queried the calculations and it is estimated that final figure for these 24 will be an additional £114,000 Foster Carers £373,000 has been paid to 420 Foster Carers

“The injustice caused where children and carers miss out on the support they should have received cannot be underestimated” “It affects some of the most vulnerable children in our society whose start in life has already been tough and who, if the placement is not adequately supported, can be put at added risk”

Focus Report on family and friends care November 2013

Common faults Coercion into caring for a child or seeking agreement to a private arrangement under duress Carers given insufficient information to make an informed decision Failure to check the suitability of a carer or housing, placing the child at increased risk of harm Family and friends carers treated less well than foster carers

Holding councils to account Councils should follow their policy! Are there good records of decisions about a child’s care? Before the placement is made, have the child’s views and needs been properly considered? Are rates paid in accordance with statutory guidance? Are appropriate and timely checks made?

Does the policy account for exceptional circumstances (carers with special guardianship and residence orders who might receive discretionary allowances)? Councils should provide suitable evidence and explanation before departing from any Government guidance about support for family and friends foster carers. Holding councils to account

Thank you for listening!