One-word Ofsted grades scrapped in England’s schools – BBC News

‘One or two-word Ofsted inspection grades for England’s schools are being scrapped immediately.’

Full Story

BBC News, 2nd September 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Teenager with significant support needs left days from homelessness due to ‘unfathomable’ council failings: Ombudsman – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has found fault in the actions of Devon County Council after it left a teenager with needs including Autism and ADHD less than a week away from being made homeless because the council had not decided where he should live when he became 18.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 22nd August 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Council to pay family more than £5k after placing them in B&B accommodation for six months – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 27th, 2024 in families, homelessness, housing, local government, news, ombudsmen, statutory duty by tracey

‘The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has found that Birmingham City Council failed to provide suitable accommodation to a family placed in bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation for more than 26 weeks, 20 weeks over the maximum time such accommodation can be used for homeless applicants with dependent children.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 22nd August 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Law student wins partial victory in court challenge to expulsion – Legal Futures

Posted August 20th, 2024 in bail, disciplinary procedures, judicial review, news, ombudsmen, universities by tracey

‘A law student has won a partial victory in a judicial review challenging the recommendations of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), an independent body which reviews student complaints about universities.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 20th August 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Police custody death investigated by watchdog – BBC News

Posted August 20th, 2024 in death in custody, news, ombudsmen, police by tracey

‘A man’s death after he was arrested and held in custody in Surrey is being investigated by the police watchdog.’

Full Story

BBC News, 19th August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Watchdog bans Gemma Collins advert promoting headset to treat depression – The Guardian

‘An Instagram post by Gemma Collins in which she promoted wearing a headset to fight depression instead of seeking professional medical advice and treatment has been banned by the UK advertising watchdog.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 7th August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Teachers’ regulator in England investigated after claims it has left teachers in distress – The Guardian

‘The organisation responsible for regulating teachers in England is being investigated by the Department for Education after allegations of misconduct by staff, and teachers left in distress after lengthy inquiries.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 3rd August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Headteacher paid damages in disability discrimination case against Ofsted – The Guardian

‘A primary school headteacher with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been paid damages in a landmark disability discrimination case against Ofsted, after her request to postpone an inspection over a relapse in her symptoms was refused.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 1st August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

ICO reprimands elections watchdog after cyber attack compromised servers – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a reprimand to the Electoral Commission after hackers gained access to servers that contained the personal information of approximately 40 million people.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 30th July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Ex-police watchdog chief not guilty of raping girls – BBC News

Posted July 24th, 2024 in child abuse, news, ombudsmen, police, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘The former head of the police watchdog has been found not guilty of raping and molesting two 14-year-old girls 40 years ago.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

State threat law watchdog calls for greater transparency from tech giants – The Independent

Posted July 24th, 2024 in internet, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, should be forced to be more transparent about whether foreign powers are behind posts on their platforms, a watchdog has said.’

Full Story

The Independent, 23rd July 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Probation staffing crisis laid bare in damning reports as alarm sounded over public safety – The Independent

‘A string of new probation watchdog investigations have laid bare the staffing crisis blighting the service’s ability to supervise offenders in the community and keep the public safe.’

Full Story

The Independent, 24th July 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Stronger competition penalties prompt CMA policy review – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 23rd, 2024 in competition, consultations, enforcement, fines, news, ombudsmen, penalties by tracey

‘The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is updating its guidance on competition-related administrative penalties, to reflect the enforcer’s expanded fining powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA).’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 22nd July 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Ofcom to ban inflation-linked mid-contract price rises on phones, pay-TV and broadband – The Guardian

Posted July 19th, 2024 in complaints, consumer protection, news, ombudsmen, telecommunications by michael

‘Phone companies, broadband providers and subscription TV services will be banned from imposing inflation-linked price increases in the middle of contracts from next year, the telecoms regulator has confirmed.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 19th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Inquiry into headteacher’s suicide says ‘macho culture’ of inspections must end – The Guardian

Posted July 15th, 2024 in inquiries, mental health, news, ombudsmen, suicide, teachers by tracey

‘An independent inquiry into the death of the Reading headteacher Ruth Perry has called for an end to England’s “macho culture” of inspections and school accountability.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 12th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Council failed over duty to save care home – BBC News

‘A council should have done more to prevent the closure of a care home for people with learning disabilities, an investigation has found.’

Full Story

BBC News, 8th July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Pensions Ombudsman decisions offer reassurance around risks of providing online systems – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 1st, 2024 in complaints, electronic filing, news, ombudsmen, pensions by tracey

‘Two recent decisions of the UK Pensions Ombudsman (PO) place the onus on the scheme member to use providers’ online systems correctly and to switch to alternative means of communication when those systems are unavailable.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 28th June 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Ads for menopause supplements banned by regulator – The Independent

Posted June 26th, 2024 in advertising, health, menopause, news, ombudsmen, women by sally

‘Ads for supplements claiming they could treat and cure menopause symptoms such as hot flushes and weight gain have been banned by the regulator.’

Full Story

The Independent, 26th June 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The Care Quality Commission’s New Inspection and Regulation Regime – Kingsley Napley Regulatory Blog

‘The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has implemented a new inspection and regulation regime which is pegged to enhance the regulation of health and social care services. This blog will detail the key changes, their rationale, practical applications, and any early signs of difficulties.’

Full Story

Kingsley Napley Regulatory Blog, 25th June 2024

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Compensation process broken, says RAF veteran – BBC News

Posted June 25th, 2024 in armed forces, compensation, complaints, health, news, ombudsmen, personal injuries by tracey

‘Any veteran who has an injury or illness as a result of service can apply for financial compensation from one of two schemes run by Veterans UK, a veterans service managed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is in place for injuries on or after 6 April 2005. Anything before, is handled by the War Pension Scheme. Veterans have long criticised both schemes. Some say they reject claims unfairly, and are slow to resolve them.’

Full Story

BBC News, 25th June 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk