Mum left in debt after council stopped autistic son’s school transport A Nottingham mum was left unable to pay her bills when she had to pay for a taxi to get her son to his special school, because the city council withdrew his free transport, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The single mum, who is on a low income, had been receiving free taxis to take her son to school. ...

Enfield family left in unsuitable accommodation for three years A disabled dad and his family were left in mouldy, mouse-infested temporary accommodation, despite Enfield council accepting it was not suitable for their needs, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The father, who has mobility problems and uses a wheelchair, first approached the Ombudsman in 2017. That investiga ...

Social workers should have done more to ensure man received appropriate care Social workers in Northamptonshire did not do enough to ensure a care home implemented a vulnerable man’s care plan, a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation has found. Despite the man’s family raising concerns about the care he was receiving, social workers did not do enough to ensure he was properly l ...

Young family left homeless by Haringey benefits blunder A young family, including a disabled child, had to leave their home following a miscalculation of their housing benefits by London Borough of Haringey, reports the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The single-parent family had been living in privately rented accommodation, but were asked to leave by their landlord after the council ...

Somerset mum had to pay for children’s therapy while she waited for council funding A Somerset mother was left more than £7,000 out of pocket while she waited for the council to release funds for her children’s much-needed therapy, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The mother, whose children’s extensive special educational needs mean they have Education, Health and Care (E ...

Cheshire East wrongly started care proceedings process against mum who simply needed support A Cheshire East mum nearly had her children placed in care following the traumatic birth of her second child, after the council instigated care proceedings without proper evidence, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The mother had a traumatic birth experience during which her baby w ...

Your tenant's claims for housing benefit (complaining as a landlord) This fact sheet is aimed primarily at landlords whose tenants are experiencing problems with their housing benefit and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. My tenant cannot pay his rent as he has problems with his housing benefit claim. Can the Ombudsman help me? We would normally expect tenants who have probl ...

Conservation areas This fact sheet is mainly for people who have concerns about the council approving a neighbour’s planning application in a conservation area and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Planning permission has been granted for development which will spoil the special character or appearance of the conservation area in which we live. Can the Ombudsman help? Yo ...

Personnel and employment problems This fact sheet is aimed primarily at council employees who have an employment-related problem and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have a problem about employment with the council. Can the Ombudsman help me? In most cases the law says we cannot investigate matters relating to action taken in respect of appointments, removals, pay, discip ...

Listed buildings This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who believe the council has failed to take account of a listed building when dealing with a planning application and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. The council has not properly taken into account the fact that a building is listed when considering an application for planning permission. Can the Ombudsman help m ...