New closely aligned codes aimed at making good complaint handling easier for local authorities have been launched.
The Complaint Handling Codes, launched by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS), is an update of the existing Housing Ombudsman Code and the LGSCO’s Good Practice Guidance.
The LGSCO and HOS consultation on a single Code last November saw more than 150 councils, 250 landlords and 360 members of the public respond.
In recognition of the different legal powers the organisations hold, they have produced two closely aligned Codes for complaint handling – one for council services outside of housing and one for landlords and housing authorities.
The launch of the code marks the fiftieth anniversary of the start of the Local Government Act 1974, which created a commission to investigate administrative actions of local authorities.
