Staffordshire fails to complete agreed remedy following Ombudsman complaint The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has criticised Staffordshire County Council for failing to apologise to a woman in good time following an earlier investigation. The woman, who has both mental as well as physical health needs, raised her problems with the council to the Ombudsman on two separate occasions. F ...

Bedfordshire boy missed more than a year’s education because of council failures Central Bedfordshire Council is to review the way it provides alternative education for children who are unable to attend school because of medical issues following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The changes are part of the Ombudsman’s recommendations for the council in a case whe ...

Hounslow refusing “to do right” by homeless pregnant woman it failed Hounslow council is refusing to offer a home to a young mother despite making a catalogue of errors which left her homeless and sofa surfing while pregnant. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has recommended London Borough of Hounslow offer the woman and her baby its next available suitable accommodation, because its ...

City council to amend school transport policy following Ombudsman investigation Coventry City Council has agreed to amend the way it handles appeals about free school transport after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found its policy did not meet statutory guidelines. The problem was uncovered after a man complained he had not been given a fair hearing when he appealed against the co ...

City council in foster carer dispute after girl’s mother dies Birmingham City Council considered allowing an 11 year-old girl to be deported during a dispute with her foster carers, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has discovered. The girl, who was born in the UK, was being looked after by family friends after her mother died as she had no other relatives in the country. The couple ...

Council to reconsider how it allocates housing following Ombudsman investigation East Lindsey District Council has been asked to review its housing allocations policy to ensure it meets its equality duties, following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman looked at the council’s policy after a couple complained they had been barred from joining the housi ...

City of Wolverhampton Council to improve its adoption recruitment process Wolverhampton council has agreed to ensure its adoption recruitment procedure adheres to statutory guidance, following an Ombudsman investigation. The move has come following a woman’s complaint about the way she was assessed and rejected for adoption by an agency acting on the council’s behalf. The Ombudsman found the agen ...

Kent couple lost valuable time together because of council errors A Kent couple lost valuable time together after the council placed one partner in a care home against her wishes following a hospital stay, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. Before the hospital stay, the man had been looking after the woman, who had previously suffered brain damage, without help at their hom ...

Elderly man suffers after council splits him from his wife An elderly couple of 59 years were split up with little regard for their welfare by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The couple were separated when the wife was discharged to a care home after leaving hospital. The husband was left to live in the family home with the help o ...

Child left in pain for years because of council delays A young person spent three years in unnecessary pain because delays by Lambeth council meant they could not have a crucial operation, a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation has found. The child has significant medical needs and uses a wheelchair. The child was living in a property secured by London Borough of Lambeth with ...