Complaints Against Social Workers

Summary

The requester asked for annual complaint statistics against Social Workers since 2015 and detailed categorization of those complaints. The Department of Health and Social Care provided aggregate complaint numbers but stated it does not hold specific categorization data for complaints made before the April 2021 separation of services to Manx Care.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold detailed categorization of complaints made before 01 April 2021.
• Following the separation of policy and service delivery on 01 April 2021, specific complaint data is held by Manx Care.
• The provided complaint figures include issues regarding social care workers, fostering, adoption, and legal claims.
• Complaints were made by various parties including parents, guardians, grandparents, and care workers.
• The requester was advised to submit a new request to Manx Care for more granular data.

Data Disclosed

• 2015 – 12 complaints
• 2016 – 17 complaints
• 2017 – 11 complaints
• 2018 – 8 complaints
• 2019 & 2020 – 35 complaints
• 01 Jan – 01 Apr 2021 – 1 complaint
• 01 April 2021
• 2015
• 2025-02-11
• 2025-03-06

Original Request

- Number of complaints against Social Workers/Social Care of Children and Families Division since 2015, by year - Any categorisation/granulation of each complaint that may also be held (e.g. complaint type, resolution type, time to resolution etc) Many thanks

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4442246 04 March 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 11 February 2025, which states:

"- Number of complaints against Social Workers/Social Care of Children and Families Division since 2015, by year
- Any categorisation/granulation of each complaint that may also be held (e.g. complaint type, resolution type, time to resolution etc)

Many thanks"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the The Department of Health & Social Care (the Department) does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

To provide you with advice and assistance, the Department can provide you with the following information in relation to your request.

2015 – 12 complaints
2016 – 17 complaints
2017 – 11 complaints
2018 – 8 complaints
2019 & 2020 – 35 complaints
01 Jan – 01 Apr 2021 – 1 complaint

These complaints will include those made regarding social care or care workers, fostering and/or adoption services, the children and families care service, Department staff and other subjects inclusive of legal claims. These complaints were made by parents, guardians, grandparents as well as social and/or care workers.

The Department does not hold information on the specific nature of each complaint made before the separation of the Department and Manx Care on 01 April 2021. Following separation, complaints regarding the service specified will be held by the care service in question, i.e. Social Care (Adults & Children), a division of Manx Care.

For further information relating to your request, you may wish to re-submit your request to Manx Care which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you.

The Department redesigned on 1 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Man Health and Care System. This Review continues to be a catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the delivery of services by Manx Care.

Please quote the reference number 4442246 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.