Durham County Council (24 017 370)

Statement Upheld Charging 13-May-2025

Summary: We have upheld Mrs X’s complaint about a lack of advice about the costs of adult social care. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mrs X to remedy the uncertainty caused. It will also remind relevant staff about the importance of providing appropriate information about charging for adult social care.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (24 018 678)

Statement Upheld Charging 13-May-2025

Summary: We have upheld Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to provide adequate information about the costs of adult social care for her father. We asked the Council to remedy the injustice caused. It agreed to apologise and reduce the costs it charges Mr Y. It will also take action to prevent a recurrence of this issue.

Sheffield City Council (24 009 488)

Statement Upheld Charging 12-May-2025

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council wrongly decided his father, Mr Y, deprived himself of assets for the purpose of reducing his care fees. We found that the Council’s decision was not supported by all the available evidence, and so was fault. That fault caused Mr X and his siblings an injustice for which we have recommended a remedy.

Suffolk County Council (24 015 692)

Statement Upheld Charging 12-May-2025

Summary: Mrs X complains about how the Council carried out financial assessments for her sons, Mr Y and Mr Z. Mrs X says this has resulted in them being charged for care. We find fault with the Council for its communication about charges, and its consideration of Mrs X’s complaint. We agreed the Council will apologise to Mrs X and carry out service improvements.

Somerset Council (24 000 859)

Statement Upheld Charging 12-May-2025

Summary: Mrs Z complained the Council has wrongly withdrawn Mrs Y’s care package, without properly considering how her needs will be met until her land can be sold. We found the Council’s decision to immediately end Mrs Y’s care package and seek to recover all costs incurred since April 2023 is fault. This has caused an injustice as Mrs Y’s care needs are not currently being met and Mr Y and Mrs Z are suffering carer stress. The Council has agreed to apologise and make payments to Mr and Mrs Y and Mrs Z. It will also reinstate Mrs Y’s care package, review her situation and provide training to relevant staff.

Luton Borough Council (24 020 473)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 12-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council allowing his late sister to deal with his mother’s financial affairs even though she had special needs. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

East Sussex County Council (24 020 940)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 12-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s charges for commissioned respite care for him and his wife Mrs X, and the information it gave about its charging. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (24 017 229)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 11-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a discretionary property disregard application. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

Suffolk County Council (24 019 595)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 08-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about financial assessment for adult residential care. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council made its decision.

Nottingham City Council (24 019 735)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 08-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about his father’s growing care debt. He says his father cannot afford the care bill and the Council has failed to provide any support with regards to this. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.