Northamptonshire County Council (20 010 011)

Statement Upheld Charging 22-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr B complains that the Council overcharged his late mother for her domiciliary and residential care. The Ombudsman considers that there were errors in the financial assessment for Mr B’s mother’s residential care and, as a result, she should have been charged more for her care. The Ombudsman considers the Council agreeing to write off the additional charges is a suitable remedy.

Northamptonshire County Council (20 011 542)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 06-Dec-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault because there was delay of 2 months in issuing an Education, Health and Care plan. The delay caused stress and uncertainty for Mrs X, but her son was already receiving provision through high needs funding in school. To remedy the injustice, the Council will apologise and make the payment set out in this statement.

Northamptonshire County Council (20 010 941)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 21-Oct-2021

Summary: Mrs X and Miss P complained about the delay in making arrangements to assess and provide support to Mrs X. We have found the Council was at fault. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Miss P in recognition of the financial losses she incurred whilst providing care for Mrs X and review its practices.

Northamptonshire County Council (20 001 023)

Statement Upheld School transport 11-Oct-2021

Summary: Mrs B complains that the Council did not properly consider her application for school transport for her son D, who has Special Educational Needs. The Ombudsman has found fault in the way the Council considered D’s application. The Council has already exercised discretion to provide transport from the start of the calendar year. It has also agreed to the Ombudsman’s recommendation that it reimburse Mrs B’s transport costs for D from the start of the school year, amend its policy and remind officers of the correct test for deciding whether to provide transport.

Northamptonshire County Council (20 004 256)

Statement Upheld Charging 28-Sep-2021

Summary: Mr B complains that the Council provided an inaccurate redemption statement for his mother’s Deferred Payment Agreement for care home charges and delayed in issuing an invoice for an overpayment of Direct Payments for home care. The Ombudsman considers that some of the information provided was unclear and there was delay in issuing the Direct Payment invoice. The Council’s offer to write off the debt apart from the outstanding care home fees of £2,804.12 is a suitable remedy for any injustice caused to the family.