London Borough of Newham (24 008 939)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 28-Apr-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council took too long to assess his housing benefit entitlement which resulted in large benefit overpayments. The Council was entitled to reassess Mr X’s entitlement based on new relevant evidence and Mr X had a right of appeal if he disagreed with the decision. But it failed to take action promised in response to Mr X’s complaint and that was fault and caused continued uncertainty. The Council should now discuss with Mr X how it will assess his future income.

London Borough of Newham (24 005 505)

Statement Upheld Antisocial behaviour 08-May-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s response to his reports of Anti-Social Behaviour. Mr X said this caused him anxiety and distress. There was fault in the way the Council delayed its investigation, communication and complaint handling was poor. This frustrated Mr X and he was put to time and trouble to complain. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a financial payment, reconsider Mr X’s Anti-Social Behaviour reports and provide training to its staff.

London Borough of Newham (24 019 553)

Statement Upheld Allocations 12-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s Housing Service. The Council has already upheld the complaint and offered an appropriate remedy. Further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Newham (24 012 473)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Jun-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not secure the special educational provision listed in his child’s, Y’s, Education Health and Care Plan. We find the Council failed to secure speech and language therapy and occupational therapy it should have, and had poor complaint handling. This caused injustice in the form of missed educational provision, distress and time and trouble. The Council agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to remedy the injustice.

London Borough of Newham (25 001 116)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 13-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council delayed paying a financial remedy. The Council has now paid the remedy agreed. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Newham (24 016 895)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 15-Jul-2025

Summary: Miss Y complains the Council did not properly consider D’s ability to safely walk to school when it received an application for home to school transport. There is procedural fault in how the Council handled D’s school transport application and appeal. The Council will apologise and reconsider D’s application, taking into account the relevant tests for eligibility for children with special educational needs.

London Borough of Newham (24 014 277)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 21-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council delayed dealing with his concerns about the unsuitability of Mr Y’s accommodation and impact onto his mental health causing distress. We have found fault by the Council as it delayed reviewing Mr Y’s care needs and moving him to more suitable accommodation. We have recommended a suitable remedy in this case so have completed our investigation.

London Borough of Newham (24 018 246)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr Y complains the Council did not properly consider the application for his child, D, to receive home to school transport. We find procedural fault which, on the balance of probabilities, meant the Council did not provide transport when it should have done. The Council has agreed to make a symbolic payment of £900 in recognition of the education D missed. The Council will also pay £500 in recognition of the avoidable distress caused to Mr Y and his family.

London Borough of Newham (24 011 872)

Statement Upheld Allocations 30-Jul-2025

Summary: Miss F complained on behalf of Mr B that the Council failed to assess his housing needs and deal with disrepair. We found fault as Mr B had been living in unsuitable accommodation. The Council has made a payment to remedy the injustice this caused.

London Borough of Newham (24 013 506)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 31-Jul-2025

Summary: Ms D complains the Council failed to resolve disrepair at her temporary accommodation and queries decisions made by the Council about her housing priority. I have found evidence of fault because the Council delayed progressing repairs. The Council has agreed to pay Ms D redress for the delay.