Kent County Council (22 016 727)
Category : Adult care services > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 10 Apr 2023
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about support provided to Mr B regarding his housing situation. This is because we could not add to the Council’s responses. There is not enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council to warrant an ombudsman investigation.
The complaint
- Mr B complained about the lack of assistance he has received from the Council regarding his housing transfer.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- The Council has explained to Mr B it is not responsible for housing. It has advised him his transfer is being considered by the Borough Council. The Council advised Mr B to bid on suitable properties. If Mr B is unable to bid for himself he will need to ask the Borough Council to assist him.
- The Council has explained it has no role in housing and transfers and advised Mr B what he needs to do. It is unlikely we would find enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council warranting us investigating this point.
- Mr B complained about staff arriving late for an appointment with a student he did not know would be attending and about the support he receives from the Council. We have previously considered these matters and issued Mr B with a decision. Although he remains dissatisfied, we cannot consider the same matters again.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint because it is unlikely we would find enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council to warrant an Ombudsman investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman