Summary: We have discontinued our investigation into Miss B’s complaint the Council placed her in accommodation which was unsuitable for her family’s medical needs. Miss B has now accepted an offer of suitable accommodation from the Council so further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Miss B complained her family is in accommodation which is unsuitable for her son’s medical needs. Miss B says she is having to sleep in her car with her children as she is unable to get into her property. Miss B would like the Council to move the family to a suitable property or increase her banding so she can be housed quickly.

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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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Miss B and the Council. Both parties had an opportunity to comment on the draft decision. I considered any comments I received before making a final decision.

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What I found

4. Miss B complained to us in July 2024 saying the Council had placed her family in unsuitable accommodation.
5. The Council wrote to us in December 2024 to tell us it had found property for Miss B and her family which had been assessed as suitable by a children’s occupational therapist. Miss B accepted the property.
6. This means further investigation would not lead to a different outcome and it would not be proportionate to continue with my investigation.

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Final decision

7. I have discontinued my investigation as further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman