Summary: Mr B complained about the Council’s decision on how much of the fees his service (the Service) charges it will allow as disability-related expenditure (DRE) for Ms C and Ms D’s financial assessments.

Finding

The Ombudsman upheld the complaint and found fault causing injustice,#

Recommendations

The Council has agreed to reconsider specifically whether the Service’s fees are reasonable in the context of the service it provides to Ms C and Ms D as a private deputy. In doing so it will consider the amount available to meet Ms C and Ms D’s care needs if it maintains it will not allow the full cost as DRE. Further, if the Council considers Ms C and Ms D should apply to have a Council deputy appointed, it will need to factor the cost of this process into the financial assessment. Finally, the Council will consider the policy reasons why a local authority may not be an appropriate alternative to the Service.
 

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