The Social Services Complaints Procedure (Wales) Regulations 2014

Complaints involving more than one local authority

19.—(1) In any case where it appears to the complaints officer that a complaint is or may be a complaint which relates to the exercise of functions by more than one local authority the complaints officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) notify the other local authority or local authorities involved and decide with the complaints officer of each of them which local authority will take the lead in handling the complaint; and

(b) notify the complainant.

(2) The complaints officer of a local authority which is the lead local authority must ensure that—

(a) any part of the complaint relating to the actions of the lead local authority is considered under this Part of the regulations;

(b) the complainant is kept informed about the progress of the investigation;

(c) the response required under regulations 16(5) or 18(1) so far as reasonably practicable includes a response on any matter which was the responsibility of another local authority mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) The complaints officer of a local authority which is not the lead local authority must—

(a) ensure that any part of the complaint relating to the actions of its local authority is considered under these Regulations; and

(b) advise the complaints officer of the lead local authority of any resolution of the complaint under regulations 16(5) or 18(1).