Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about the lack of help and support she has received as a Shared Lives Carer. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council to warrant an Ombudsman investigation.

The complaint

1. Mrs B complains about the lack of support she received from the Council as a Shared Lives Carer. Mrs B says the Council did not support the person she cared for or provide money to pay for their support. Mrs B says because of this she incurred additional costs and had to borrow money. Consequently, the Council has removed the person from their care and has instigated a safeguarding enquiry against her.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates 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 may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide:

• there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
5. The complainant had an opportunity to comment on my draft decision.

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My assessment

6. Mrs B is concerned the lack of support she received from the Council has led to it removing the person she cared for and instigating a safeguarding enquiry.
7. Mrs B says she did not receive any support from the Council as a Shared Lives Carer and the person she cared for was unable to access to his benefits to pay for his care and support. The Council says Mrs B was aware of her contractual obligations and has access to the resolution procedures. We could not add to this or say this is fault. Mrs B does not have consent or standing to complain on behalf of the person she cared for and there is a conflict of interest with her representing them.
8. The Council must consider matters coming to its attention and consider whether they should be investigated under its responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable adults. We could not say this is fault.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council to warrant an Ombudsman investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman