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Making a claim against University College Birmingham
If University College Birmingham has caused you a financial loss, you may have grounds to claim compensation. Claims are decided on the facts and the evidence you can provide, so it helps to understand what you can claim for before you begin.
This guide explains the types of claim common across the public servicessector, the steps to take first, and the evidence you’ll want to gather.
Claims may include:
- Maladministration — mistakes, delays or poor decisions
- Unreasonable delay in providing a service
- Failure to follow the correct policy or procedure
- Being given wrong or misleading advice
- Injustice caused by a council, NHS body or government department
- Seeking an apology, a decision put right, or a remedy
- Financial redress for costs, distress or lost time
What can you claim for?
- Council maladministration
Did a council get a decision wrong, lose paperwork or fail to follow its own rules?
Learn more - NHS service failure
Did poor treatment, a delay or an avoidable error cause you harm or injustice?
Learn more - Delays and inaction
Were you left waiting too long, or ignored, when a public body should have acted?
Learn more - Wrong information
Were you given inaccurate or misleading advice that led to a loss or injustice?
Learn more
Before you claim
- 1Use the internal complaints procedure
You must give the council, NHS provider or department a chance to put things right first.
- 2Get their final response
Ask for a written final response so you have a clear record of the outcome.
- 3Escalate to the right ombudsman
Councils go to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman; the NHS and government to the PHSO.
- 4Mind the 12-month limit
Ombudsman complaints are normally made within 12 months of becoming aware of the problem.
Evidence checklist
- The organisation’s final response letter
- Your original complaint and its reference number
- A timeline of what happened and when
- Letters, emails and messages exchanged
- Decision notices or assessment reports
- Notes of phone calls, with dates and names
- Evidence of any financial loss or extra costs
- A description of the impact on you (the injustice)
Start your claim
Tell us a little about what happened and we’ll help you check whether you have a valid claim against University College Birmingham.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation from a council or the NHS?
The ombudsman can recommend a remedy where maladministration has caused you injustice — often an apology, a decision put right, or a modest payment. This is redress for the impact, not a large money claim.
Do I have to complain to the organisation first?
Yes. You must normally exhaust the council’s, NHS provider’s or department’s own complaints procedure before an ombudsman will look at your case.
Which ombudsman handles my complaint?
The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman covers councils and adult social care, while the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman covers the NHS in England and central government departments.
Do I need an MP to complain about a government department?
Complaints about UK government departments must currently be referred to the PHSO through an MP. NHS complaints in England can go to the PHSO directly.
Is there a time limit?
Ombudsman complaints are usually made within 12 months of when you became aware of the problem, though there is discretion to accept later cases where there is good reason.
This information is general guidance and is not legal advice.
Relevant legislation
The main laws and regulations that may apply to a claim in the public services sector:
- Local Government Act 1974
- Health Service Commissioners Act 1993
- Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967
- Local Authority Social Services and NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009
Check whether you can claim money back from University College Birmingham in a few minutes — no obligation.