London Borough of Harrow (21 008 112)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 30-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council failed to meet his family’s need for respite from the care of his disabled son and that its communication had been poor. The lack of respite has had a negative impact on the family. We find the Council is at fault and this has caused injustice. It has agreed the recommended ways to remedy this. Therefore we are closing the complaint.

Bristol City Council (21 017 657)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 22-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council delayed responding to a complaint under the statutory procedure for complaints about children’s services. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Devon County Council (21 007 837)

Statement Not upheld Disabled children 22-Mar-2022

Summary: The Council was not at fault in how it assessed Ms X’s son’s application for a Blue Badge.

Derbyshire County Council (20 012 723)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 15-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs B complained about lack of support to her family between 2017 and 2021, failure to arrange meetings properly, failure to allocate a social worker from the disabled children’s team, failure to respond to correspondence and delay putting in place recommendations following a complaint. The Council failed to properly consider the impact on Mrs B as a carer during its assessments, failed to arrange some meetings properly, failed to respond to Mrs B’s correspondence and set up direct payments without discussing whether that was an option Mrs B wanted. An apology, payment to Mrs B and training for officers is satisfactory remedy.

Birmingham City Council (21 000 323)

Report Upheld Disabled children 08-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s handling of home adaptations to meet his son’s social care needs. Mr X said the building work is slow, of poor quality, and is incomplete. He says this has impacted on his son’s mental health and medical condition.

London Borough of Bexley (21 011 314)

Statement Not upheld Disabled children 07-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs B complained the Council unreasonably refused to award her son a blue badge. I have not investigated the complaint as the Council has since reconsidered its decision and awarded the blue badge. The Ombudsman could not achieve anything further for Mrs B.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (20 010 865)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 03-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not provide appropriate support to meet her child, Y’s, needs. She said it also did not complete a parent carer assessment with her and about poor complaint handling. There was no fault in how the Council assessed Y’s needs and decided they were not eligible for social support. However, it failed to refer them for a mentor as agreed, did not complete an adequate parent carer assessment with Ms X and delayed investigating her complaint. The Council will offer to refer Y for a mentor if still appropriate, complete a parent carer assessment with Ms X and pay Ms X £200 in acknowledgement of the frustration and uncertainty caused.

Hertfordshire County Council (21 015 907)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 28-Feb-2022

Summary: We uphold Ms X’s complaint, as the Council delayed considering a complaint at stage two of the children’s statutory complaints procedure. The Council has agreed to complete its stage two without further delay.

London Borough of Bromley (21 001 878)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 28-Feb-2022

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to approve her application to move into a home fit for her disabled child Y’s needs. Ms X also complained the Council did not respond to the complaint she raised about this. The Council was not at fault for rejecting Ms X’s bid for the property. The Council was at fault for a significant delay in responding to the complaint she made. The Council should apologise to Ms X and make a payment of £200. It has already reminded its staff of the importance of responding to complaints within the required timescales.

Brighton & Hove City Council (21 015 965)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 23-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has not offered an appropriate assessment for the complainant’s daughter. This is because there is no evidence of fault on the Council’s part causing injustice.