Children's Social Care / Fostering / Adoption
Looked-after children placement quality, foster carer support/allegations, adoption delays, child protection investigation disputes, EHCP/SEND, leaving care
Max award: £No cap
Uphold rate: N/A (varies by LA)%
Key Legislation
Children Act 1989 and 2004; Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000; Adoption and Children Act 2002; Children and Families Act 2014; Children Complaints Regulations
Companies in This Sector
153 local authority children's services departmentsIndependent Fostering ProvidersVoluntary Adoption Agencies
Annual complaint volume: High (largest LGSCO category 2024-25)
Note: Statutory 3-stage complaints process is lengthy and complex. Foster carers facing allegations have no independent support body. Adoption support gap. LGSCO children's complaints dominated casework 2024-25.