Case Ref: 21 001 811 Category: Benefits and tax Sub Category: Local welfare payments

• Take steps to ensure it can show how it has considered applications for discretionary housing payments.

Case Ref: 21 001 407 Category: Benefits and tax Sub Category: Housing benefit and council tax benefit

• the Council has agreed to make the following service improvement: circulate guidance to staff on handling DHP applications that clearly explains: its change in practice following the reduction in Government funding and its referral process to the Housing Options team. This should include advice on the application of the DWP’s Good Practice Guidance (contained in Annex A) and guidance on decision-making when the applicant has a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. The Council should carry out an appropriate impact assessment, such as an Equality Impact Assessment, to inform this guidance and show how it has assessed the impact of any changes of practice on groups with protected characteristics.
• the Council has agreed to make the following service improvement: share this decision with relevant staff.

Case Ref: 20 011 302 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• The Council will remind staff that people who make housing applications may also have care and support needs. It will provide guidance to staff about offering people advice about how to request, or referring them for, a Care Act assessment.

Case Ref: 20 011 149 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: COVID-19

• The Council has agreed to work with the Care Provider to produce an action plan for improving its practices to ensure other people do not experience the same problems as Mr & Mrs Y.