Review into the operations, processes and investigations carried out by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

On 17 April 2024, the Senedd agreed Motion - NDM8537.

The motion instructs the Finance Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2:

“to urgently review the operations, processes and investigations carried out by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to ensure:

a)    that impartiality and fairness are present throughout the employment of the former Head of Investigations; and

b)    that the Senedd can have confidence that the office is able to undertake future investigations with impartiality and fairness.”

At its meeting on 1 May, the Committee agreed its Terms of Reference to consider:

>>>> 

>>>the events leading to the resignation of a team leader at the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and the processes followed;

>>>the operations and processes associated with Code of Conduct investigations, including monitoring and quality assurance arrangements;

>>>whether the mechanisms in place at the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales adequately ensure that its staff operate (and have operated) with impartiality and fairness; and

>>>the scope, extent and findings of the independent external review commissioned by the Ombudsman.

<<< 

The Committee published its report (PDF 604KB) on 8 November 2024.

A debate on the Committee’s report was held on 20 November 2024.
The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales responded to the Committees report on 24 January 2025.

Independent review of investigations by  the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales  into Code of Conduct complaints

Details of the independent external review commissioned by the Ombudsman can be found at Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has announced the appointment of Melissa McCullough to lead the independent external review.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has published the final terms of reference for the independent external review led by Dr Melissa McCulloch – 20 May 2024

Committee’s consideration: