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 ...

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. ...

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 ...

Scrutiny questions Suggested questions to help councillors scrutinise their local services We believe that complaints raised by the public can be an important source of information to help councillors identify issues that are affecting local people. Complaints can therefore play a key part in supporting the scrutiny of public services. Below are range of questions that councillors could ask their ...

Scrutiny questions Suggested questions to help councillors scrutinise their local services We believe that complaints raised by the public can be an important source of information to help councillors identify issues that are affecting local people. Complaints can therefore play a key part in supporting the scrutiny of public services. Below are range of questions that councillors could ask their ...

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 ...

Birmingham wheelchair user left in unsuitable home for eight years by council A Birmingham man has been left in unsuitable temporary accommodation for eight years despite the city council knowing it did not meet his needs as a wheelchair user, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. Birmingham City Council has now agreed to pay the man nearly £30,000 for the time he and his fami ...