The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has reported that it has investigated three complaints made by a resident of Thurrock Council after bins were not returned to their proper place by the assisted bin collection service. LGSCO found that the misplaced bins resulted in the resident, a wheelchair user, being trapped in their home. LGSCO said that Thurrock Council has agreed to review bin complaints to ascertain whether it has any persistent issues with the bin collection service that has been offered to those with disabilities.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has reported on a mother fleeing domestic abuse who was, together with her children, placed at an accommodation which was not suitable for her eldest child who is disabled. The mother who also has mental and physical health issues approached the council for assistance as homeless and provided accommodation by Tower Hamlets council. The mother reported that the child had nowhere to do homework and they were soling themselves because of the shared facilities. The social worker also told Tower Hamlets the accommodation was detrimental to the family’s mental physical health and was not suitable for them due to family’s vulnerability.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has reported on a teenager with autism and ADHD who was nearly rendered homeless because Devon County Council couldn’t decide where he should live when he became 18. The teenager missed half a term of education while the Council sorted out his travel arrangements. The Council has agreed to apologise to the teenager and make a symbolic payment of £1,000 to recognise the distress it caused.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has reported that Tower Hamlets Council failed to adequately help a family facing homelessness. The family was served with an eviction notice and contacted the Council for help. However, the LGSCO's investigation revealed that the Council did not address the situation until the family’s situation was desperate. The Council has agreed to issue an apology to the family as well as pay £1,355 for the uncertainty, worry and avoidable costs caused.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published its response to the National Audit Office’s (NAO) report into the assistance that young people with special educational needs (SEN) and the progress of reform are given. According to the NAO, the progress of young individuals with SEN remains stagnant. This is reflected in the numerous complaints handled by the LGSCO.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has launched new best practice guidance for adult social care providers, focusing on the handling of complaints from self‑funding care users. This round‑up highlights the key elements of the guidance aimed at improving fairness, transparency and accountability in complaints handling.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published a number of recent reports from February 2026. This round-up covers highlights of the reports containing upheld decisions, including in relation to governance.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published a number of recent reports from March 2026. This round-up covers highlights of the reports containing upheld decisions, including in relation to education and children’s social care.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published a number of recent reports from February 2025. This round-up covers highlights of the reports containing upheld decision, and annual report and accounts, including in relation to education.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published a number of recent reports from April 2024. This round-up covers highlights of the reports containing upheld decisions, including in relation to governance, social housing, education, children’s social care, social care and planning.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published a recent report from January 2026. This round-up covers highlights of the report containing an upheld decision in relation to housing and anti-social behaviour.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published its Annual Review of Local Government Complaints 2025–26, highlighting a significant increase in complaints about English local authorities. This round-up highlights the key findings on complaints trends and service performance across local government.