Summary: We have no legal power to investigate Miss X’s complaint about privately funded rehabilitation for substance misuse. Such services do not fall within the definition of adult social care services.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains on behalf of her mother that Liberty House Clinic Limited has unfairly withheld a deposit of £1,500 for a period of privately funded rehabilitation for substance misuse.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about adult social care providers and decide whether their actions have caused an injustice, or could have caused injustice, to the person making the complaint. I have used the term fault to describe such actions. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 34B and 34C)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered comments and information from Miss X.

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What I found

4. Adult social care services include all types of personal care and other practical help for people aged 18 and over who need it because of age, illness, disability, or a range of other circumstances. It does not include privately funded rehabilitation for substance misuse.

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Final decision

5. We have no legal power to investigate this complaint because it concerns privately funded rehabilitation for substance misuse.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman