Case Ref: 23 012 862 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when applicants with dependent children are placed in B & B accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, they are informed that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states that this should be limited to no more than six weeks.

Case Ref: 23 011 756 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• By training or other means, remind officers dealing with reviews of the Council’s decision on a housing application, that they should fully explain the factors considered and reasons for decisions, including how the allocations scheme applies to an application. This is to ensure the Council’s decisions are transparent.
• By training or other means, remind officers of the Council’s duty to offer suitable temporary accommodation when it accepts the main housing duty.

Case Ref: 23 011 687 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to provide training or guidance to relevant officers to ensure they are properly considering relevant matters when carrying out homelessness assessments, in accordance with the Homelessness Code of Guidance, and that they are completing personalised housing plans appropriately.
• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when it places a family with dependent children in bed and breakfast accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, it confirms that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states this should be limited to no more than six weeks.

Case Ref: 23 011 099 Category: Housing Sub Category: Other

• The Council has agreed to review its procedures to ensure that allegations made concerning a sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are investigated promptly and the sponsor is made aware as soon as possible of any suspension and the outcome of the investigation.

Case Ref: 23 010 903 Category: Education Sub Category: Special educational needs

• Review its invoicing systems and processes to ensure that submitted invoices are recorded on an accurate date and approved in sufficient time to enable them to actually be paid in the required timeframe.

Case Ref: 23 010 854 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council has agreed to provide evidence to show that it has updated its letter templates to include and make clear the right to request a review of the suitability of the accommodation.
• The Council has agreed to review its procedures to ensure housing officers do not leave homeless applicants in temporary accommodation before they are satisfied that it is in a suitable condition, with functioning heating and hot water.
• The Council has agreed to change its letter template to ensure that when it places a family with dependent children in bed and breakfast accommodation under the interim or main housing duty, it confirms that the Homelessness Code of Guidance states this should be limited to no more than six weeks.

Case Ref: 23 010 362 Category: Housing Sub Category: Private housing

• The Council was at fault in the way it considered whether accomodation was reasonable for a tenant to remain in after a landlord started possession proceedings. The Council have agreed to remind its staff about the relevant sections of the homelessness code of guidance.

Case Ref: 23 009 085 Category: Education Sub Category: Special educational needs

• The Council should review its alternative education policy alongside our published guidance ‘Out of school, out of sight?’ July 2022. It should consider the recommendations we made, specifically that around reviewing and amending plans as necessary, and how it can incorporate these recommendations into its policy.

Case Ref: 23 002 398 Category: Education Sub Category: Special educational needs

• By reviewing its procedures or other means, ensure it considers whether education provision is reasonably accessible in the event a child is not attending school full time or at all for ‘other’ reasons and keeps a record of this decision.

Case Ref: 23 012 030 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• The Council has agreed to remind staff responsible for completing reviews of allocations decisions to ensure they consider and address any matters and evidence raised by the applicant in the review request as well as their application.