Disabled man slept on floor after council homelessness failure, Ombudsman finds A Disabled Norwich man slept on the concrete floor of a garage for several nights after Norwich City Council failed to consider his homelessness application properly, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has found. The Ombudsman's investigation into the man’s complaint found the council did not prope ...

Ombudsman annual report details further innovation in its service The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has published its Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20, which details how it continued to be innovative in the way it improved its service and increased the value of its investigations. Examples include the Ombudsman launching its interactive council performance map and the first phase o ...

Homeless Tower Hamlets man suffered because of lack of joined-up support from council Tower Hamlets council left a vulnerable man with significant care needs unsupported when he was made homeless, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The man, who has disabilities and complex physical and mental health needs, told the council he was being made homeless. The Ombudsman has found ...

Focus Reports and Guides for Practitioners Focus reports highlight common or systemic issues we see, brought to life with case studies from our complaints. They share learning from complaints to help councils and care providers make improvements, contribute to public policy debates and give elected members tools to scrutinise local services. Focus reports are web-based publications. If you need a ...

External consultations and inquiries 2026 March - LGSCO consultation response to National Planning Policy Framework March - LGSCO response to Fostering consultation March - LGSCO response to CPA consultation 2025 September - LGSCO response to the MHCLG consultation on the Local Government Outcomes Framework September - LGSCO response to the MHCLG consultation on Changing the way government alloca ...

Autistic man failed by Bradford council Bradford council’s failure to provide support to an autistic man has put his employment, family life and sense of self at risk, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The man, who lives with his partner and children in the city, needs support to go about his daily life, including working to provide for his family. He complained to the Omb ...

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 ...

Councils cannot allow multiple care home contracts to run in tandem The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is cautioning councils against allowing the care homes they work with to have subsidiary contracts with clients following a complaint about Leeds City Council. The warning comes after it became clear the council had allowed Indigo Care Services Ltd to have a second contract with a wo ...

National specialist shortage having profound impact on children with SEND and their families The shortage of educational psychologists is having a significant impact on councils’ ability to set out the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said. The Ombudsman is highlighting the recruitment difficulties faced b ...

Ombudsman considers everyday human rights in new report Councils need to treat the people they serve with fairness, respect and dignity – as a new Ombudsman report shares how people’s basic human rights have been infringed when receiving public services in England. Out today, the new report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman ‘Equal Justice’ explores a catalogue of cases where peopl ...