Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about charitable gifts. This is because we cannot consider matters which are not in connection with the provision of care and support.

The complaint

1. Miss B says the company who provides her with care says it will no longer give individuals £20 at Christmas, but instead will give each person in the home £10 to purchase something which is to be left in the home when that person leaves.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. We cannot tell a Care Provider what they should give as a Christmas gift or tell them it cannot give a token gesture to its service users to purchase something for the house as Miss B wants.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Miss B’s complaint because we cannot investigate matters which are not in connection with the provision of care and support.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman