La síndica y todo su equipo lamentan profundamente la muerte de Francesc Vendrell, que fue responsable de las áreas de consumo y territorio del Síndic de Greuges entre 2010 y 2020.
 

Anteriormente había ejercido cargos de representación y organización en diferentes partidos políticos y fue diputado del Parlamento de Cataluña durante tres legislaturas, entre 1999 y 2010. Además, fue uno de los ponentes del Estatuto de autonomía de Cataluña de 2006 y miembro de la Comisión del Síndic de Greuges en la cámara.

La institución destaca su vocación de servicio público y su compromiso con la defensa de los derechos de los consumidores de servicios públicos esenciales para la vida de las personas, especialmente los de las personas más vulnerables.

Date of decision: 2024-11-29 Decision case number: 5245-2023 Decision maker: Ombudsman

Summary of the decision: A unit of social services in Skellefteå Municipality sent letters to two people who had applied for financial assistance notifying then that they were only permitted to have contact with the unit in writing while their applications were being processed. The reason given was that relatives of the people in question had threatened and harassed staff at social services.

In their decision, the Parliamentary Ombudsman concludes that imposing such a categorical restriction on contact is incompatible with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (2017:900) concerning service and access, and the right of a private party to give information orally in a matter. The Social Welfare Committee is therefore criticised for its decision to permit only written contact during the processing of the applications.

When ‘Amie’ left care, her local council did not look into her claim that she suffered abuse while living with foster carers properly.

This is just one of the cases highlighted in today’s Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report about fostering in England which demonstrates what can and has gone wrong in the cases the organisation has investigated.

It looks at issues faced by both fostered children and the carers who support them. Cases include a pair of siblings who appeared settled with a couple who wanted to adopt them but were removed without warning. Another involves a single, first-time foster carer who was not told about the child’s extensive needs leading to the placement breaking down.

And in another case, siblings lost valuable time with one another because the council did not do enough to promote contact between them.

The report is the second of a duo of reports into councils’ adoption and fostering services. It looks at the ways councils can improve their services to everyone involved in the fostering process.

It offers good practice and guidance to those councils responsible for children’s services and concludes with a number of questions local Members can ask to scrutinise their offer and council officers can use to reflect on their departments' performance.

Ombudsman, Ms Amerdeep Somal, said:

“When councils become responsible for children - such as those who are fostered - it is often because there is no one else to look out for them, so it is all the more important they get it right. Who else would fight their corner?

“Foster carers play a key role in helping to provide stability for these children but need to be given the right tools to do it well. Councils need to ensure they provide the right information and support for the foster carers who look after the children they have ultimate responsibility for.

“I hope councils will read my report and take it in the spirit it is intended – we all want the best for children, and to give them the best start in life, regardless of their family set up.”

The report is free to download from our website.

Article date: 20 February 2025

Über 50 Einsendungen aus dem ganzen Land für den von Antidiskriminierungsstelle und OEW-Organisation für Eine solidarische Welt zum zweiten Mal organisierte Wettbewerb - Fünf Werke wurden ausgezeichnet.

50 le opere inviate al concorso organizzato a Centro Antidiscriminazioni e OEW-Organizzazione per un mondo solidale, cinque quelle premiate.