Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s concerns about her supported living placement. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We have no remit to investigate as there is no evidence of services in connection with adult personal care support services.

The complaint

1. In short, Miss X complains that she has been neglected in a supported living placement. She says she does not recall signing a tenancy agreement, has been left to pay utility bills and her property is lacking hot water.
2. Miss X would like the utility bills cleared and repairs to her property.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
4. We can investigate complaints about actions by adult social care providers that can be regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Such activities include giving personal care or other practical support in the place where the person lives.
5. The law defines ‘personal care and other practical support’ as ‘physical assistance (or prompting and assistance) given to a person in connection with:

• eating or drinking (including giving nutrition other than by mouth or alimentary canal);
• toileting (including in relation to menstruation);
• washing or bathing;
• dressing;
• oral care; or
• the care of skin, hair and nails (except for nail care provided by a chiropodist or podiatrist)’.
  (Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010)

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How I considered this complaint

6. I considered information provided by the complainant.
7. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

My assessment

8. We can investigate complaints about actions by adult social care providers that can be regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Such activities include giving personal care or other practical support in the place where the person lives.
9. As Miss X’s complaint appears to relate to landlord/tenant issues, rather than a complaint about actions in connection with the provision of personal care or other practical support, we have no power to investigate.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it does not meet the tests on how we decide which complaints to investigate.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman