Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about money being taken from his mother’s, Mrs C’s, bank account for care fees. This is because Mr B can ask the Council to consider his concerns under its responsibility as lead Safeguarding Authority.

The complaint

1. Mr B says as a third-party signatory for his mother’s, Mrs C’s bank account, he is concerned with the amount she is paying for her care. Mr B says Mrs C does not have capacity to manage her own finances and he usually manages them on her behalf but does not have Power of Attorney.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about adult social care providers. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe there is another body better placed to consider this complaint.

(Local Government Act 1974, sections 34B(8) and (9))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered the information Mr B provided. I sent Mr B a copy of my draft decision for comment.

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What I found

4. Mr B is concerned with the amount of money taken from Mrs C’s bank account to pay for her care. Mr B says Mrs C lacks capacity to manage her own finances.
5. Mr B can ask the Council’s Safeguarding Team to consider his concerns and check who is authorising the payments for care if Mrs C is unable to do so.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because Mr B can ask the Council to consider his concerns under its responsibility as lead safeguarding authority.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman