What is a Local Government Ombudsman?

There are three local government ombudsmen for England (based in London, Coventry & York) and one for Wales who can investigate complaints of injustice arising from maladministration by local authorities & certain other bodies.  They investigate complaints about  most council matters including housing, planning, education & social services.  The ombudsmen cannot investigate any complaint if there is some other provision or right to appeal or review by another tribunal, court or Minister of State.  Complaints have to be made within 12 months of the matters alleged in the complaint being known to the complainer.  Investigation by the ombudsmen are held in private and reports of their decisions do not usually identify any individuals unless there is a finding that a councillor has been guilty of maladministration.  The report must be published by the local authority.  The ombudsman will usually make a recommendation as to any need for policies or practices to be revised and may recommend the payment of a (usually modest) amount of compensation to the complainant.  Reports since 1st August 2006 are also published on the LGO website at http://www.lgo.org.uk/   and the published reports about social services are here http://www.lgo.org.uk/socserv.htm .  The LGO for Wales is called the Ombudsman for Public Services and has a website here http://www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk/ .  The websites explain how to make a complaint.