North Northamptonshire Council (25 011 802)

Statement Upheld Charging 24-Aug-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council wrongly decided her mother had intentionally deprived herself of capital through gifts to family to avoid paying for care. We found fault in how the Council considered this, which caused doubt about the outcome of its decision making. The Council agreed to apologise, pay a financial remedy to Mrs X and her mother for distress, and reconsider its decision. It will also deliver training to its staff about deprivation of assets.

Cheshire East Council (25 014 512)

Statement Upheld Charging 23-Aug-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault in how it arranged for Ms Y to defer paying for her care so she did not need to sell her home. This caused her son, Mr X, avoidable frustration but did not impact Ms Y as the faults did not mean she had to sell her home. Ms Y was ultimately charged the correct amount for her care. The Council will apologise to Mr X and take action to prevent fault in future.

Nottinghamshire County Council (25 016 721)

Statement Upheld Charging 23-Aug-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault in how it decided Mrs Y had deprived herself of an asset to avoid paying for her care. This caused Mrs Y’s representative, Mrs X, avoidable frustration and uncertainty. The Council will reconsider its decision. It will also issue a reminder for staff to ensure they consider both parts of the test for deciding if a person has deprived themselves of assets, as set out in the care and support statutory guidance.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (25 028 211)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 17-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a financial assessment as there is insufficient outstanding injustice arising from any fault. Additionally, Mrs X can make an appeal to the Council about what disability related expenses it has allowed.

Medway Council (25 024 948)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 17-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about care charges. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise our discretion to investigate.

Sheffield City Council (25 031 200)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 16-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council deciding a person deprived themselves of capital by creating a trust settlement of their property, assessing their finances as if they still owned the property, and therefore deciding the person should pay for their care in full. Without evidence of fault in the way the Council considered the matter we cannot question the decisions it reached, so any dispute about the resulting decision is properly a matter for a court of law, not the Ombudsman.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (24 017 285)

Statement Upheld Charging 13-Aug-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for how it charged Mr X for his care. The Council took appropriate action when it recognised errors in its invoicing, however, was at fault for raising Mr X’s expectations around a review of his financial assessment. The Council has agreed to apologise for the injustice caused. There is no evidence of fault in how it made reasonable adjustments to meet Mr X’s needs for using its service.

Plymouth City Council (25 018 179)

Statement Upheld Charging 13-Aug-2026

Summary: Mr X complains on behalf of Mrs Y that the Council has not dealt with adult social care properly because it has not calculated charges for Mrs Y correctly, causing financial loss. The Council did not calculate charges correctly. Mrs Y’s estate suffered financial loss. The Council should apologise and recalculate Mrs Y’s care costs.

Essex County Council (25 016 722)

Statement Upheld Charging 12-Aug-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council wrongly refused to treat the costs associated with her assistance dog as Disability Related Expenditure. The Council failed to properly consider her request. This was fault and caused Ms X uncertainty, frustration and time and trouble. The Council agreed recommended actions to remedy the injustice caused.

Kent County Council (25 022 404)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Charging 12-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s charges for his father, Mr Y’s, care. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.