Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)

Overview

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigates complaints about councils in England (housing, social services, education, planning, council tax, environmental health) and registered adult social care providers (including self-funders). It looks for maladministration causing injustice, and can recommend remedies — apologies, financial redress, and service improvements.

What it handles

• Council complaints after the council's complaints process is complete
• Adult social care provider complaints
• Education admissions and exclusions (council-arranged)
• Housing allocations and homelessness service complaints
• Planning decisions (procedural maladministration only)

What it does not handle

• Most school complaints (Department for Education / school complaints policy)
• Court-imposed decisions
• Matters with a statutory right of appeal (often go to a tribunal instead)

Fees

• Consumers: Free

Deadlines

• Event complained of → 12 months (extended at the Ombudsman's discretion)

Official sources