Local authority criticised for failings in care

The BBC reports criticism of a local authority for its failure to investigate suspicions that two children were being abused by their father. The public services ombudsman  said that Merthyr Tydfil council’s lack of action meant police did not look into the case.

In this case, it appears that a complaint was made to the Local Authority Ombudsman, who does have the power to recommend a compensation payment. However a civil claim might be viable as well. See the case of Pierce v Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council 2008 for an example of a local authority held liable for negligence in taking care of a child.