Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 004 277)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 02-Mar-2020

Summary: there is no fault by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council in relation to the action it took to deal with Mr and Mrs D’s reports of the collapse of a decked area in the garden of their home which provides the only access to the property and the garden for their disabled son

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (19 000 211)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 24-Feb-2020

Summary: There was no fault in the Council’s decision to fund a stairlift and walk-in shower for Ms B as the Council acted in line with the law on disabled facilities grants. However, the Council failed to complete a social care assessment and this was not in line with the Care Act and Care and Support Statutory Guidance which requires councils to complete social care assessments regardless of any care the person is already receiving. The Council will apologise and complete a social care assessment within two months of this statement.

Selby District Council (19 000 671)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X says the Council is at fault in how it handled works agreed as part of a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The Ombudsman found some evidence of fault but considers the Council has already provided a suitable remedy for the matters he can consider. He has therefore completed the investigation.

London Borough of Brent (19 003 670)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complains the Council was at fault in the way it managed a Disabled Facilities Grant for works to her bathroom leaving her with unfinished work. The Ombudsman has found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters.

Shropshire Council (19 015 571)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 17-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s delay in assessing him and his wife for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). This is because the Council has accepted and apologised for the delay and it is unlikely any further investigation by the Ombudsman could achieve any more than this.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 007 706)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 12-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr F complains about the way the Council has dealt with his mother’s application for a disabled facilities grant. The Ombudsman has found no fault by the Council.

Birmingham City Council (19 005 394)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 22-Jan-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains about the Council’s handling of her disabled facilities grant (DFG) application between 2009 and 2019. She says the Council mishandled her application and provided incorrect information. We find fault with the Council for some delays in the DFG process. There is also fault with the Council’s complaint handling. We have recommended the Council apologise and make a financial payment.

West Suffolk Council (19 006 208)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 15-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to complete repairs to his bathroom as required by a previous Ombudsman decision. The information provided shows that although the Council took the action required issues outside of its control meant the works were not completed. The Council has agreed to Mr X’s request to pay him so he can now arrange the necessary works himself.

London Borough of Lewisham (19 004 292)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 13-Jan-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has taken far too long to resolve problems with works carried out under a disabled facilities grant, which should have been completed in June 2018. Mr & Mrs X were left with adaptations which were not fit for purpose for over a year. The Council needs to apologise, pay financial redress and improve its working practices.

London Borough of Ealing (19 006 493)

Statement Not upheld Disabled facilities grants 08-Jan-2020

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s delay in carrying out adaptations to meet her son’s needs. We have ended the investigation because the Housing Ombudsman deals with complaints about councils as social landlords and is considering Miss X’s complaint.