West Sussex County Council (22 009 538)

Statement Upheld Charging 13-Apr-2023

Summary: Mrs X complained about delays by the Council in confirming that it no longer included household expenses in its financial assessments. The Council was at fault for delays and for failing to properly consider household expenses as part of a financial assessment. The Council agreed to provide a suitable remedy.

West Sussex County Council (22 012 800)

Statement Upheld Charging 16-May-2023

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to advise her, or her father, about her father’s care charges for seven months after the Council started to provide him with care resulting in a large backdated bill. We found fault with the Council for delays in completing Ms X’s father’s financial assessment. The Council agreed to reduce Ms X’s father’s charges by 50% from 14 September 2021 to 31 March 2022.

West Sussex County Council (22 014 693)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 29-Jun-2023

Summary: There was fault in the way the Council decided to reduce Mrs B’s care package. The Council failed to properly consult with Mrs B or with the care agency that provided the care and failed to properly consider Mrs B’s needs. The Council has agreed to apologise, pay a small financial remedy and carry out a review of the care plan.

West Sussex County Council (22 012 513)

Statement Upheld Other 03-Jul-2023

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained the Council did not consider its duties under the Equality Act 2010 when it carried out a child and family assessment. Mr and Mrs X also complained the Council delayed investigating their complaint that the assessment was discriminatory. We found fault by the Council in its complaint handling and the Council has agreed a remedy to address the injustice identified.

West Sussex County Council (22 016 677)

Statement Upheld Other 10-Jul-2023

Summary: We have upheld this complaint because the Council delayed considering a complaint at stage two of the children’s statutory complaints procedure. The Council has now agreed to resolve the complaint by issuing a stage two response, apologising to the complainant and offering to make a payment to them to remedy the time and trouble they have been too.

West Sussex County Council (22 005 795)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 18-Jul-2023

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s failure to provide support for her daughter’s special educational needs. We found the Council was at fault for the delay in issuing an Education, Health and Care Plan following a Tribunal order. It also failed to provide alternative education for two terms. To remedy the injustice caused by these faults, the Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mrs X.

West Sussex County Council (22 016 892)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 20-Aug-2023

Summary: Mrs P complained about the Council’s failure to carry out a proper assessment of her adult daughter’s care needs. She said this resulted in an inadequate support plan that did not meet her needs. We have found there was fault with the assessment. It was poorly written and did not address the issues we would expect. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Mrs X to acknowledge her time and trouble dealing with the matter and carry out a new assessment. It has also agreed to take action to improve its service.

West Sussex County Council (23 005 170)

Statement Upheld Direct payments 11-Sep-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council delaying in telling Mrs X her son no longer needed to pay a client contribution towards the cost of his care. This is because the Council has agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused to Mr X.

West Sussex County Council (22 015 474)

Statement Upheld Safeguarding 14-Sep-2023

Summary: Mrs X complained about the care and support that a Council commissioned Residential Home provided to her son, Mr Y. She also complained about the Council’s safeguarding investigation. The Council was at fault as it poorly communicated with Mrs X in relation to her son’s care and support. The Council made recommendations following its safeguarding investigation which were appropriate. It has also agreed to apologise to Mrs X for the uncertainty and frustration the matter caused her.

West Sussex County Council (23 007 020)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 25-Sep-2023

Summary: Mrs X is the shared carer for an adult, Miss A. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about delay in the Council taking action to finalise who will manage Miss A’s financial matters. This is because the Council has agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused.