Leeds City Council (19 010 713)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 26-Feb-2020

Summary: There is no evidence of fault in the way the Council completed a financial assessment of Mr Y. It properly considered two appeals for his personal allowance to be increased. As there is no evidence of fault in the process, I cannot comment on the merits of the decision reached.

Essex County Council (19 016 345)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Assessment and care plan 26-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that he has been refused the opportunity to contribute to his daughter’s, Ms C’s support plan. This is because Ms C’s support plan now includes Mr B’s views and has been amended to reflect the inaccuracies. It is unlikely any further investigation by the Ombudsman could achieve any more than this.

Brighton & Hove City Council (19 005 705)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 26-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of his mother’s needs assessment and care home fees. There have been faults by the Council, including the failure to assess the risks to his mother of moving to another care home. This did not cause injustice to his mother which warrants a remedy. But the Council needs to make sure it assesses the risks of moving other people in similar circumstances.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (19 006 646)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 26-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs B complains the Council did not properly explain the financial implications of her husband, Mr B, moving into a care home. Mrs B says the Council suggested it would provide financial help but then wrongly said she had decided to self-fund. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault for not completing a full needs assessment and financial assessment. We also find fault in how the Council communicated its position for temporary care home placements.

Nottingham City Council (19 010 689)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 25-Feb-2020

Summary: The Council failed to give adequate costs information about an emergency respite placement for an adult with social care needs. The family were shocked to receive a bill as they thought it was free, but they paid it in full. The Council will reimburse those fees, it has apologised and reminded staff not to repeat the same errors.

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (18 019 465)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 25-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms C complained about the time it took for the Council to complete her needs assessment and the amount of support the Council has said she needs. The Ombudsman has decided to uphold Ms C’s complaint. The Council has agreed to pay a financial remedy to Ms C for the delay in providing her with support and the distress this has caused her. It will also review the pathway through which it carries out assessments for clients with a sight impairment, and the staff it has in place to implement it.

Essex County Council (19 003 960)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 25-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr Y’s daughter complains the Council incorrectly assessed Mr Y’s care needs and failed to ensure he could make an informed decision with his family about his future care. The Council was not at fault.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (18 015 927)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Assessment and care plan 24-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaints about care and support provided to her by the Council. This is because it is unlikely any further investigation by the Ombudsman could make a different finding to that already provided by the Council.

West Sussex County Council (19 002 364)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 24-Feb-2020

Summary: There has been fault by the Council. It has failed to communicate with a service user with mental health problems and his family clearly, and has failed to reach a final decision, after 3 years, on whether his care will be classed as short or long term. This has caused significant distress to Mr B and his family, who have spent time and trouble dealing with the complaint. A financial payment remedies this injustice. The Council should also reach a final decision and carry out new assessments, so Mr B and his family can make informed decisions about his future.

London Borough of Brent (19 004 814)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 24-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X complains the Council has failed to let her brother return to his home with his mother and has failed help him attend church, in line with his wishes. The brother has the capacity to decide where he lives and wants to remain in a care home. However, the Council has failed to ensure he receives help attending church, if that is what he wants to do. The Council needs to make sure the brother’s Care Home offers help attending the family church and documents any refusal.