The consultation sets out a draft statement of practice which explains how SPSO will approach decision-making in this new and different role for SPSO in relation to local authorities, including some of the most important aspects of the process such as how it will decide when it can accept a review or how it will gather evidence.

SPSO is also consulting on draft rules for oral hearings, which will allow the organisation to hold an oral hearing when that is the only fair way to resolve matters.

In addition, SPSO is in the process of undertaking an Equalities and Human Rights Assessment of this new role and of its approach to it. The organisation has set out a proposed approach to ensure it fully complies and shows best practice in fulfilling its equalities and human rights responsibilities.

Jim Martin from the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, said: “We are committed to talking to users and potential users of the service. We hope to have direct contact with third sector groups who work with users. We also hope to have direct contact with users from the groups to explore their experience of the review process and to allow them to comment on this consultation and other documents we are producing.”

The consultation is available here and is open until Friday 27 November.

@SPSO_Ombudsman