Probe into family’s fears took too long
LESSONS have been learned after an investigation into concerns raised by a family left terrified by their teenage son was delayed, a council has said.
The family, known as Mr and Mrs X, made complaints to Northumberland County Council over the length of time it took for them to look into their pleas for help.
They said their eldest son, known as Y, had held a knife to his mum’s neck and threatened to stab his siblings, who were aged between one and seven at the time.
The family said the teenager’s behaviour left them “in crisis”.
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found the local authority “continually attempted to minimise the seriousness” of the allegations.
The ombudsman said, following its intervention, an independent investigator appointed by the council upheld a number of the family’s complaints. However, it found the investigation took more than a year to complete when it should have taken no more than 65 days.
The report said: “The council has accepted there were delays in dealing with the family’s complaints and has apologised for this. The independent investigator and the council has sought to use the council’s lack of resources as an explanation for this. However, this is conflicted by the independent person’s report which highlights failures by the council to send information to the family and make officers available for interview.
“Furthermore the statutory regulations and guidance relating to children’s services complaints do not make allowances for a lack of resources when setting out statutory timescales for an investigation.”
The teenager was eventually removed from the family home by police. The council was told to pay the family £1,000 to cover their time and trouble to pursue the complaints, as well as for the distress caused by its failure to investigate the children’s welfare.
A council spokesman said: “This incident originated in 2013 and since that time the council has reviewed all of its policies and procedures. We are confident that the new arrangements are robust and fit for purpose. We do take reports like this very seriously however, and lessons have been taken on board. We have taken or are taking action on all of the recommendations made.”