You can't contact the Ombudsman directly without going through the earlier stages of the complaint process first, unless you have been specifically referred to them by the council. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman typically expects you to give the council a chance to address your complaint before escalating it.
Here’s an overview of the complaint process concerning when you can involve the Ombudsman:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | File your complaint with the council, which should respond within 15 working days. |
| Stage 2 | If you're unsatisfied with Stage 1, you can request a review. The council will respond within 20 working days. |
| Ombudsman | You can approach the Ombudsman only after completing Stage 2 or if the council has referred you after Stage 1. |
For more details on how to proceed with complaints, you may want to check out the corporate complaints page on the Slough council website.
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