Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the support the Council provided Mr X. That is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our investigating.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained the Council failed to support her now deceased relative, Mr Y. She said the Council’s neglect of him contributed to his death.

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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.

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My assessment

5. Mrs X contacted the Council about Mr Y as she was concerned about his ability to care for himself following the death of his partner. She believed he was at risk of self-neglect and said he was not keeping his property clean. She also contacted her MP with her concerns.
6. In the Council’s response it said Mr X wanted to remain independent and that he had capacity and could make decisions for himself. It said it did not have concerns about the condition of Mr Y’s property. The Council confirmed it had provided Mr Y with the support that he wished to receive. Although Mrs X is unhappy with the Council’s response, there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify investigating.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman