Wet - was it you that received a payment from the LGO?

[screamingcarrots]

I have received an initial view from the investigator with a financial offer but am advised that this could change following my comments.
Do they normally put in a small offer and expect you to challenge it?
Any advice would be good. Thanks

[screamingcarrots]

Their own guidance on financial remedies see guidance notes at bottom of the page
states: 'a payment for distress should only be recommended where the complainant has clearly suffered significantly more than if the situation had been managed correctly. Such payments should be exceptional, not standard, practice'.

They clearly will try to avoid paying anything if they can.

[wetaugust]

Well they certainly recognised my distress in their decision and award of £250!
One of my complaints was that the LA failed to consult and coorindate all the agencies involved with my DS - deliberately so, I felt, to avoid them having to acknowledge the severity of DSs difficulties. For instance, the LA expressed (feigned) surprise that my DS had been a day patient in a psychitaric unit for 4 months (during the Statementing process!).

My LGO complaint was that, as a result of the LA refusing to engage and acknowledge DS's difficulties, it was left to me to single-handedly orchestrate the multiplicity of agencies. The LGO told the LA to improve their process in that area.
(This was all before TAC and the other coordination stuff was invented).

[2tirednot2fight]

Yes star they ask for your comments and then maintain they consider them. They decide if a local settlement should be made the complainant can only comment you can't appeal or refuse a local settlement, it's ridiculous!

[2tirednot2fight]

I would say you should comment on what is being offered, one of mine was increased following my comments. I think it depends on the investigator, some don't seem too bad but I have had one who was a nightmare and had absolutely no understanding of the issues.

[sazale]

There certainly does need to be more accountability for LA's. Mine couldn't even be bothered to meet the LGO's deadlines and I don't think they care about my complaint one little bit. It is like Star says that it's the knowledge that it is one of the indicators they are measured that kept me going forward with it.