Challenging a decision regarding my support plan - ?? Appeal and complaint at same time

Camellia

This concerns how to best go about raising some sticking points in my Care Act support plan. I am mindful of having to challenge my local council within a set time limit from the date of the decision I’m not happy about. I want to appeal, but am concerned if it takes too long, I’ll be ‘timed out’ of then being able to make a formal complaint.

There is also the risk - if either the appeal or complaint take too long - of being timed out for being able to progress the matter to the LGO Local Government Ombudsman.

I am therefore considering to file both a formal complaint and an appeal at the same time (whilst copying in the Statutory Monitoring Officer) in the hope that matters may be resolved more quickly.

Or should I appeal first and if I haven’t had the decision revisited in my favour within a month or 6 weeks max, to then promptly take it to a formal complaint within their 3 month time limit.

Any thoughts?

Also has anyone had any success with involving the statutory monitoring officer where there looks like there could have been a breach of the Care Act?

Thanks for any suggestions or sharing how you have dealt with something similar