Ombudsman criticises Council’s failure to help child in need
Archived press release
Date Published: 29/10/09
The London Borough of Waltham Forest’s response to a girl’s requests for help as a child in need was inadequate.
The London Borough of Waltham Forest’s response to a girl’s requests for help as a child in need was inadequate, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Tony Redmond. In his report, issued today (29 October 2009) he says “… the Council was not directly responsible for the abuse she suffered at the hands of others. However, I have no doubt that her suffering was exacerbated by the Council’s failure to assess her properly and provide support to her.”
He said the young woman “had suffered very serious abuse and was variously described as being extremely troubled; having behavioural and emotional difficulties; very vulnerable; having suicidal thoughts; problems due to lack of adult support; diagnosed as being depressed; her life was ‘dangerous and unsupported and is hugely at risk.’”
‘Miss Smith’ (not her real name for legal reasons) complained that, over a period of several years, she sought support from the Council as a child in need but was continually sent away without support being offered. She says the Council failed to assess her needs properly and, as a result, did not offer services that she was entitled to. Although the Council did eventually assess her as being a child in need and provide some services, she says this happened too late, those services should have been provided earlier, and she suffered harm as a result of the delay. In addition to the lack of social care support, she says she was out of school for long periods and the Council failed to take action to provide suitable education for her.
The Ombudsman found that, although the Council’s response to the initial contact was appropriate, subsequent assessments of Miss Smith’s needs were inadequate. In particular, the Council failed to take proper account of her wishes and feelings and took other information at face value.
The Council also failed in its duty to work with other agencies involved with Miss Smith. Although the Council did in time assess her as being a child in need, this conclusion should have been reached earlier.
As a result of the Council’s failings, Miss Smith lost out on support that should have been provided to her, thus exacerbating the harm she was suffering as a result of her personal circumstances.
These failings were compounded by the poor handling of Miss Smith’s complaint
The Ombudsman finds maladministration causing injustice and recommends that the Council:
- apologise to Miss Smith;
- pay her compensation of £7,000;
- review the way it deals with assessments of children in need; and
- review the way it deals with complaints.
Report ref 08 016 986