The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is issuing its second practical guide for housing officers to help improve services for Disabled people.

The latest guide highlights issues Disabled people face when accessing homelessness support services, and the changes local councils can make to improve those services.

Issues covered by real-life case studies in the report include the national shortage of adapted and adaptable housing, poor quality assessments of need, delays in completing suitability reviews, the provision of aids and adaptations in interim and temporary accommodation, and working closely with other departments and local authorities.

The report offers key learning points, including:

• Assessing need thoroughly and accurately
• Completing reviews on time and telling people about their appeal rights
• Considering steps to make accommodation more suitable for the Disabled person, including aids and adaptations
• Communicating effectively with applicants and other councils

Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said:

“We know there is a national shortage of housing available for people facing homelessness, and an even greater dearth of properties that are either adapted or suitable for adapting for Disabled people.

“While many of these issues cannot be fixed by individual councils alone, there are steps councils can take to improve their services for Disabled people, as recommended in my guide.

“I hope council officers at every level will read the guide and take on board the learning it contains to ensure their services are as fit for purpose as they can be in this challenging environment.”

The guide, and other resources in the Ombudsman’s campaign to improve housing support for Disabled people, can be downloaded from Ombudsman’s website.

Article date: 03 July 2025