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The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, Margaret Kelly, today recommended significant changes in how further evidence is used in assessing and awarding entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a benefit for some of the most vulnerable in society.

Please note we are unable to answer telephone calls today because of a staff training event.  Please contact us via our online complaints form or email us at nipso@nipso.org.uk.  We will return to our normal telephone service tomorrow.

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, Margaret Kelly, has today called for a culture change in the way public bodies in Northern Ireland deal with complaints from members of the public. 

Our Overview Report contains details of investigations into restrictive practices in schools, identifies recurring themes, and includes a number of recommendations to the Department of Education.

Please note that our telephone service now operates between the hours of 9.00am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, you will be able to leave a message and a member of our ASSIST team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, Margaret Kelly, has called for clarity over who is responsible for paying the care fees of adults who have a combination of health and social care needs, including those in residential or nursing homes.

We are continuing to receive new complaints and progress existing investigations.  However, as a result of the latest Government restrictions all our staff are now working from home. 

Our Quarterly Bulletin provides readers with a short, easy-to-read summary of news from the Office, drawing attention to our most recent investigation reports, providing updates on new initiatives, and highlighting other aspects of our work.

In June 2019 the Ombudsman launched an investigation into the Department for Communities’ (the Department) administration of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit system, focusing on the availability and application of further evidence in the PIP benefit decision making and internal complaints processes.

To mark International ‘Ombuds Day’ on 8 October, Ombudsman Margaret Kelly explains in this short video how the service makes a real difference to people’s lives.