Northamptonshire County Council (19 003 431)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 28-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council has dealt with a financial matter related to her late uncle Mr Y’s estate. The Council has apologised for faults in the process, which is the outcome the Ombudsman would have sought had it not already been provided. For the Ombudsman to find the Council is causing distress to Mr Y’s beneficiaries due to fault, he would need to decide it is unlawful for it to be pursuing money it believes they owe from the estate. The Ombudsman cannot determine such legal questions.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (18 014 885)

Statement Upheld Charging 27-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr and Mrs B complain the Council did not provide proper support and information when Mrs B’s mother, Mrs X, was to be discharged from hospital. That meant they were liable for a top up payment for care fees which they cannot afford. There was fault by the Council in not providing written information to Mr and Mrs B about the options for Mrs X’s care and the associated costs. The action the Council has agreed to take provides a satisfactory resolution of the complaint.

Nottinghamshire County Council (18 019 776)

Statement Not upheld Charging 27-Aug-2019

Summary: The Complainant says the Council has increased his client contribution for adult care services, which he cannot afford to pay. The change leaves Mr C with no disposable income, but this is not caused by fault of the Council. The Council has correctly assessed his client contribution in accordance with the law and national guidance and considered whether to allow a waiver based on his income and expenditure.

London Borough of Barnet (18 011 728)

Statement Upheld Charging 26-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council dealt with the late Mrs Y, and its communication and complaint handling. The Ombudsman finds the Council was at fault in all these areas and this caused Mr X disproportionate difficulties. The Council has put right the financial injustices it caused Mrs Y. It has also agreed to apologise, pay Mr X £500 for his time, trouble, frustration and stress and take action to avoid similar problems in future.

Plymouth City Council (18 015 788)

Statement Not upheld Charging 23-Aug-2019

Summary: There is no evidence the Council failed to provide the proper information to the family when Mr X moved into a new care home.

West Sussex County Council (18 019 118)

Statement Not upheld Charging 22-Aug-2019

Summary: The Council was not at fault in how it arranged (and subsequently ended) free reablement support for Mrs B, in its decision not to involve Mr B when she signed support and consent agreements, or in the information it provided to him about her longer-term support. The Council acted in line with Regulations, and both national and local guidance, and there is no evidence of any fault which caused an injustice to Mrs B.

Norfolk County Council (19 001 203)

Statement Not upheld Charging 21-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to change its policy on charging for adult social care and, in particular, its consultation exercise. We have not found fault with the Council’s decision-making process.

London Borough of Enfield (19 002 145)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 21-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr X says the Council incorrectly charged his disabled son for after care costs following his discharge from a hospital. No further action is needed as the complaint is not one the Ombudsman can deal with.

Derbyshire County Council (19 004 466)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 20-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the sale of a property in 2004. The complaint is made too late but we could not, in any case, carry out a meaningful investigation after so long.

Norfolk County Council (19 004 464)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 20-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the sale of a property in 2004. The complaint is made too late but we could not, in any case, carry out a meaningful investigation after so long.