Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 017 047)

Statement Upheld Other 22-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained that the Council has failed to provide suitable day care provision for their disabled son, Mr Y, since he left school in 2018. They also say it has failed to support them as carers and they have had no respite for over a year. We find the Council gave contradictory information to Mr and Mrs X about Mr Y’s proposed placement causing distress and uncertainty. It also failed to offer them a carer’s assessment despite being aware they were caring for Mr Y full-time. As a result, they suffered the uncertainty of not knowing whether any help could have been offered. In recognition of the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to apologise to Mr and Mrs X and make a payment.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (20 009 511)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 17-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the way he was treated by his social worker. This is because we could not add to the Council’s response or make a different finding of the kind Mr B wants even if we investigated.

Portsmouth City Council (20 011 689)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 16-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that the Council has caused a rift between her and her mother, Mrs C. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council to warrant an Ombudsman investigation.

Portsmouth City Council (20 010 044)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about Council officers suspecting he had taken his mother’s medication. This is because it is unlikely an investigation could add to the response already provided by the Council’s investigation.

Birmingham City Council (20 010 841)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a social worker contacting his GP practice in response to an anonymous call raising concerns about his mental health. This is because it is unlikely an investigation by us could add to the response already provided by the Council.

Cumbria County Council (20 004 716)

Statement Not upheld Other 05-Mar-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman found no fault by the Council on Mrs T’s complaint about her home suffering damage from a bathroom tap left on by a carer who visited the day before. There is no evidence showing the carer was responsible for the flooding. The carer may not have been the last person to go upstairs to the bathroom. There is simply not the evidence to justify a finding of fault against the Council.

Cornwall Council (20 010 491)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate the complainant’s concerns about the Council losing his information. This is because it is unlikely an investigation by the Ombudsman could add to the Council’s response. The Complainant can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if he is concerned about how the Council handles his personal data.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (20 001 400)

Statement Upheld Other 04-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss X’s representative complained the Council as Miss X’s financial appointee failed to ensure she claimed a personal independence payment. So, she missed out on benefit she was entitled to receive. There was a delay in Miss X receiving the benefits and some of this delay was due to Council fault. The Council has agreed to pay Miss X £500 to acknowledge the lost opportunity caused by the Council’s delays.

Stocks Hall Care Homes Ltd (19 015 787)

Statement Upheld Other 02-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs C complained about how the Care Home terminated her father, Mr D’s, placement. The Care Home has not properly considered how the move would affect Mr D or explored alternative ways of meeting his needs. The Care Home will take steps to remedy the injustice Mr D has suffered.

North Yorkshire County Council (20 001 018)

Statement Upheld Other 24-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complains the Council did not tell him about its plans to apply to be a deputy for his mother’s financial and property affairs. He also complains the Council mismanaged his mother’s finances and did not involve him in the decision regarding his mother’s funeral plan. We find fault with the Council for not contacting Mr X before the best interest meeting to decide on his mother’s funeral plan. We do not find fault with the Council’s other actions.