Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council assessed Miss X’s individual needs when giving her housing register application suitable priority. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions to warrant further investigation.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains the Council failed to properly consider her medical needs when assessing her for housing and health points on the housing register. She says the Council did not properly consider her individual circumstances as a caregiver.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. Miss X says her current accommodation is unsuitable as it worsens the symptoms caused by her medical needs. She says the Council did not properly assess her health needs when assigning points. The Council has a set criterion for medical points. The Council’s medical advisers decided Miss X does not meet the criterion but gave points on other grounds, allowing her to bid on properties. There is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council assessed Miss X’s medical need to warrant further investigation.
6. Miss X says she is a caregiver to her relative. Miss X was shortlisted and offered properties by the Council. She rejected offers as she considered them unsuitable for her relative to visit. The Council does not have to take the relative’s circumstances into account when assessing Miss X’s priority and shortlisting properties. So, I will not investigate this point as further investigation is unlikely to find fault in the Council’s actions.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions to warrant further investigation.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman