Complaints and help
Rating a service here isn't a complaint. If you want something done about what happened, these are the official routes.
Worried about a child?
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
- Otherwise, contact the children's social care team at the child's local council. Find the council in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- For advice, call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
- Children and young people can call Childline free on 0800 1111.
Which route is which?
-
Complain to the council or trust first
Most complaints must go through their own process before anyone else will look at them.
-
Then an ombudsman
An ombudsman can look at how the council or trust handled things if its complaints process doesn't resolve them.
-
A professional regulator
Deals with concerns about a registered worker's fitness to practise. That's separate from a complaint about the service.
-
Independent advocacy
Advocates can help you take part in meetings and decisions.
Each route has its own rules and time limits, and none can promise a particular outcome. Don't send case documents to this site.
England
-
Ombudsman
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Looks at complaints about councils and adult social care once the council's own complaints process has finished.
-
Professional regulator
Social Work England
The regulator for social workers in England. Raise concerns about a registered social worker's fitness to practise.
-
Inspectorate Children's services
Ofsted
Inspects local authority children's services in England.
-
Inspectorate Adult services
Care Quality Commission
Assesses how councils in England meet their adult social care duties.
-
Independent advice and advocacy Children's services
Family Rights Group
Advice for parents and family members whose children are involved with children's services in England and Wales.
Wales
-
Ombudsman
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Looks at complaints about councils and social care in Wales.
-
Professional regulator
Social Care Wales
The regulator for social workers in Wales.
-
Inspectorate
Care Inspectorate Wales
Inspects local authority social services in Wales.
-
Independent advice and advocacy Children's services
Family Rights Group
Advice for parents and family members whose children are involved with children's services in England and Wales.
Scotland
-
Ombudsman
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
Looks at complaints about councils and social work in Scotland.
-
Professional regulator
Scottish Social Services Council
The regulator for the social work and social care workforce in Scotland.
-
Inspectorate
Care Inspectorate
Inspects social work and care services in Scotland.
Northern Ireland
-
Ombudsman
Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman
Looks at complaints about Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.
-
Professional regulator
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
The regulator for social workers in Northern Ireland.
-
Inspectorate
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
Inspects health and social care services in Northern Ireland.