London Borough of Barnet (19 001 850)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 17-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council reduced his care package and amount of direct payments following the closure of the independent living fund. This resulted in Mr X having to top up his care costs until the Council reassessed him and increased his direct payments. The Ombudsman finds fault with how the Council carried out the reassessment following the closure of the independent living fund and its subsequent review. The Ombudsman has made recommendations to remedy the injustice caused which the Council has agreed to.

Surrey County Council (19 003 963)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 13-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms C complained about the hourly rate the Council pays her for supporting her daughter at night, as well as about the date on which this payment should have started and the time it took until she received her first payment. The Ombudsman found there was a two-week delay in June 2019 that should have been avoided.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (18 019 635)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 11-Dec-2019

Summary: The Council was not at fault in the way it decided to discharge Mrs X into a care home.

Cumbria County Council (19 000 886)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 10-Dec-2019

Summary: The Council failed to manage expectations when making transition arrangements for adult social care support following the end of a residential college placement. The Council proposed a move in date when arrangements were ongoing. This caused Mr C and his parents some anxiety and caused Mr & Mrs B the time and trouble of trying to get answers and pursuing a complaint. The Council should apologise and pay £200 to Mr C and to Mr & Mrs B.

Staffordshire County Council (19 004 248)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 09-Dec-2019

Summary: the complainant says the Council has without warning charged him a contribution towards his care costs and has failed to fully consider his disability related expenses. The Council says it has applied the current law, guidance and policy and considered all relevant disability related expenses. The Ombudsman finds the Council acted without fault in deciding and reviewing the complainant’s contribution to his care costs.

London Borough of Ealing (18 011 893)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Miss X complains about the failure of the Council to put in place a suitable package of care for her since the Ombudsman’s last investigation ended in March 2018. She also complains about various interactions she has had with the Council since then on many topics. The Ombudsman found no evidence of fault in any of the complaints made by Miss X. It has made reasonable efforts to engage with Miss X and continues to offer her a care package it believes meets her needs, while she disputes the outcome of a Care Act assessment meeting in 2017.

Essex County Council (19 005 179)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain about the Council’s provision of care to Mr Y, causing distress. The Ombudsman finds no evidence of fault by the Council.

Essex County Council (19 005 180)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain the Council has failed to provide care to Mr Z, causing distress. The Ombudsman finds no evidence of fault by the Council.

Essex County Council (19 005 181)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain about the Council’s refusal to increase Mr W’s support hours, causing distress. The Ombudsman finds no evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.

Essex County Council (19 005 182)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain the Council has refused to provide care to Mr V, causing distress. The Ombudsman finds no evidence of fault in the Council’s decision making process.