Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the support the Council’s adult services provided Miss X in relation to her housing. There is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained the Council’s Adult Social Care team closed her case without providing appropriate support. She said it did not share relevant information with the Housing team relating to the type of accommodation she would need, did not listen to her concerns about past abuse, and did not challenge the housing team’s decision on her behalf.
2. Miss X said this led to her being provided unsuitable accommodation and further housing instability. She wanted the Council to provide self-contained housing.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate 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 continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Miss X presented to the Council in 2025 when she was at risk of homelessness. The Housing team provided her temporary accommodation while it assessed her housing case. The Council’s Adult Social Care team also assessed her needs for care and support. I have not considered the Housing team’s actions, and have considered only the actions of the Adult Social Care service here.
7. The Council’s Adult Social Care team provided information to the Housing team about Miss X’s accommodation-related needs. It made a request on her behalf for a one-bedroom studio flat. It also referred her to support services and provided information to her about how to contact Shelter for housing advice and support.
8. The Council also included information within its care and support assessment about the abuse Miss X had disclosed.
9. The Council initially closed Miss X’s Adult Social Care case in August 2025 as it says she had declined services. However, after she had been told she could no longer stay in temporary accommodation provided by the Housing team, the Council arranged supported accommodation for her from November 2025.
10. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the Adult Social Care team’s actions. It communicated the relevant information to the Housing team and considered the relevant information as part of its care and support assessments. It ultimately provided supported accommodation for Miss X in late 2025.
11. Miss X indicates she has since lost the supported accommodation placement. It is open to her to complain to the Council, and then us, if necessary about events after November 2025.

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Final decision

12. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman