Somerset council took too long assessing disabled woman’s care needs

Somerset County Council has been criticised by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after taking too long to assess a vulnerable woman’s care needs.

Somerset County Council fails to complete assessment of woman’s needs

Somerset County Council has been asked to complete its assessment of a disabled woman’s needs following an earlier complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Somerset council fails to inform agencies when mother removes her children from the UK without father’s consent

A council which failed to alert border agencies when a mother took her children to Australia without their father’s consent, has been asked by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) to pay the father’s expenses to return them.

Council fails for a second time to provide therapy for Somerset boy with special educational needs

Somerset County Council has for the second time left a vulnerable boy with disabilities without the speech and language and occupational therapy support he needs, because officers did not know how to find him a therapist.

Councils reminded they can contract out services, but they cannot contract out accountability

The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) is reminding councils that although they can contract out services, they remain responsible for the quality of any service those contractors provide, and for addressing any complaints users of services may have. This accountability remains irrespective of whether the provider is a private company, a third sector organisation or another publicly-funded body.