Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delays in the Council arranging for Mr X’s mother to move to another council area. This is because an investigation would not lead to any worthwhile outcomes.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about delay in the Council arranging for his mother to move to Maidstone.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X’s mother, Ms F, was discharged from hospital in May 2021. Ms F told the Council she wants to move to another council’s area, Council A, to be closer to her family.
6. During its complaint investigation, the Council recognised it delayed in submitting a housing application for Ms A to join Council A’s housing register. The Council accepted it should have submitted the application in July 2021, but did not do so until April 2022. The Council apologised for the delay.
7. The further delays were outside of the Council’s control. This is because Council A only made its decision to reject the housing application in November 2022. Further, although the Council appealed the decision in November 2022, Council A did not decide the appeal until April 2023. Therefore, I am satisfied these delays were not caused by any action, or inaction, by the Council.
8. An investigation is not justified as it would not lead to any worthwhile outcomes. This is because the Council is still in the progress of trying to move Ms F. The Council has evidenced the recent action taken to move Ms F, including referring Ms F to an extra care sheltered accommodation and to the adult social care service of the county council. The Council is still waiting for the decision to be made on the referral, which is a matter outside of its control.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because an investigation would not lead to any worthwhile outcomes.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman