London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (24 004 827)

Statement Upheld Transition from childrens services 14-May-2025

Summary: Ms D complained the Council failed to carry out an occupational therapy assessment when her son, Mr J, transferred from children’s to adult’s social care services. We have found the Council significantly delayed completing an occupational therapy assessment. This delay caused Ms D avoidable frustration, uncertainty and distress. It affected the housing priority afforded to the household, creating significant uncertainty about whether Ms D missed suitable housing opportunities. The delay also means the household will live in accommodation that poses risks to their wellbeing for longer than they otherwise would have. The Council agreed to apologise and backdate Ms D's housing priority to the point Mr J transitioned to adult care services. The Council agreed to pay a financial remedy in recognition of the avoidable distress and risk of harm caused by the delay. The Council also agreed to review the case with senior officers and write to Ms D to set out its proposal for making a direct offer of suitable accommodation.

Southampton City Council (24 010 194)

Statement Upheld Transition from childrens services 30-Apr-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her child’s care and support when he turned 18. We find no fault in the Council’s overall decision making but do find fault for it failing to consider Mrs X’s request for an additional day at Placement A. This caused Mrs X uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mrs X.

London Borough of Croydon (24 015 863)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transition from childrens services 03-Apr-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Ms Y’s transition from children’s to adult services. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason for us to investigate now.

Devon County Council (24 011 848)

Statement Upheld Transition from childrens services 25-Mar-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council delayed assessing her son’s adult care needs on his transition from children to adult care services. We find the Council was at fault as it significantly delayed completing an assessment of Mrs X’s son’s adult care needs. This caused avoidable distress and frustration, and Mrs X had to privately fund provision for her son. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to apologise to Mrs X and her son, make payments to them and implement service improvements.

Warwickshire County Council (24 014 334)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transition from childrens services 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr & Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s lack of care and support for Mr Y. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider their complaint without Mr Y’s consent.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (24 011 784)

Statement Upheld Transition from childrens services 17-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the lack of care and support received from the Council’s children and adult social care services. This is because the Council agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused

Suffolk County Council (24 009 869)

Statement Upheld Transition from childrens services 28-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the children’s statutory complaints procedure. The Council has upheld the complaint and offered a suitable remedy. Further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Hertfordshire County Council (24 003 915)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transition from childrens services 25-Nov-2024

Summary: Mr Z, on behalf of his grandson Mr X, complained the Council failed to provide appropriate support when he turned 18. The matters Mr Z raised were known to him in 2021 and he raised them with the Council at that time. This is a late complaint and falls outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

London Borough of Croydon (24 008 866)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transition from childrens services 19-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council failed to complete an adult care needs review. That is because it is late.

London Borough of Haringey (23 018 546)

Statement Upheld Transition from childrens services 15-Nov-2024

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain about delay by the Council in carrying out an assessment for the transition of Mr Y from children to adult care services. The Council is at fault as it delayed in carrying out a transition assessment for Mr Y and wrongly stopped his direct payments. The Council also failed to identify it had responded to Mr and Mrs X’s complaint when they chased for a response. The faults caused distress, uncertainty and avoidable time and trouble to Mr and Mrs X. The fault also caused injustice to Mr Y as he missed the benefit of increased support. The Council has agreed to remedy this injustice by apologising and making a symbolic payment of £1000 to Mr and Mrs X and a symbolic payment of £1000 to Mr Y.