Summary: We have discontinued the investigation as it is not clear what the complaint is and Mr B could not represent Ms B in the complaint.

The complaint

1. Mr B complained on behalf of his wife, Ms B. He said the Council had not provided a care plan to Ms B and therefore he had to provide all the care and support to Ms B.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. It is our decision whether to start, and when to end an investigation into something the law allows us to investigate. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended).
3. We investigate 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 or continue an investigation if we decide:

• there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered evidence provided by Mr B and the Council as well as relevant law, policy and guidance.
5. Mr B and the Council had an opportunity to comment on my draft decision. I considered any comments before making a final decision.

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What I found

What happened

6. Ms B is an adult woman who requires care and support because of a medical condition which affects her ability to live independently. At the time of the complaint, Ms B lived at home with Mr B and their two children. Mr B was Ms B’s carer and Ms B also received a care package at home, funded by the Council.
7. The relationship between Mr and Ms B broke down in September 2024. Initially Mr B planned to remain living with Ms B and provide care for her. However, it became clear from January 2025 onwards that this was not a sustainable situation and both sides made allegations of abuse against each-other.
8. On 13 February 2025 Mr B made a formal complaint to the Council on behalf of Ms B. He said Ms B did not have an arranged package of care so he was forced to be Ms B’s carer. He said Ms B and the family had been failed by the Council.
9. The Council responded to Mr B’s complaint on 31 March 2025. The Council said a Council officer had visited Mr and Ms B on 25 March to discuss the complaint and the Council had organised a multi-disciplinary meeting following this visit. The Council recognised that Mr and Ms B faced significant challenges due to the breakdown of their relationship.

Analysis

10. It is not possible to say, from the complaint or the complaint response, what complaint the Council has investigated or whether it has been upheld.
11. Also, as there was a conflict of interest between Mr and Ms B, Mr B could not represent Ms B in the complaint. Mr and Ms B should have made separate complaints in their own name.

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Decision

12. I have discontinued the investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman