| Please note: our decisions are published six weeks after they are issued to councils, care providers and the person who has made the complaint. The cases below reflect the caselaw and guidance available at the time of issue and the individual circumstances of each case. West Sussex County Council (22 018 145)
Summary: There is no evidence the Council failed to carry out proper assessments of the late Mrs X, although there were disagreements between the Council and Mrs A about the extent of Mrs Xs needs. The Council was entitled to take the decision it did about the deprivation of assets. However, the Councils management of the complaint was protracted and led to distress and anxiety for the family and particularly for Mrs A, who had spent a considerable amount of time and effort looking after Mrs X. The Council agrees to apologise for the delay and offer 500 to Mrs A in recognition of the injustice caused. Durham County Council (23 003 726)
Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has failed to provide her with the care and support it has assessed her as needing, causing her distress and putting unreasonable pressure on her husband. The Council was at fault as: it failed to review her care and support plan to make sure her personal budget was enough to meet her needs: left her with little choice but to accept direct payments which she did not want; has failed to meet all her needs since February 2023; did not complete her June 2022 care and support plan properly; and failed to give due regard to her rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 when responding to her complaint. The Council has agreed to apologise, pay financial redress and take action to improve its services. Stoke-on-Trent City Council (23 005 207)
Summary: Ms X complained on behalf of her mother, Mrs Y. We ended this investigation because it is unlikely we would find fault on the substantive issues complained about, and further investigation is unlikely to achieve a different outcome. North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (23 005 230)
Summary: We uphold complaints about poor information on care charges, communication and about the failure to consider bed rails and a longer bed. The Council has already taken appropriate action to remedy the injustice. London Borough of Haringey (22 015 754)
Summary: There was fault in the way the Council decided to install a different shower tray in his wet room. Mr B says the wet room still does not meet his needs. The Council has agreed to offer Mr B a further assessment of the wet room by an occupational therapist. Dorset Council (22 014 842)
Summary: Mrs C complained about the way the Council has dealt with her daughters direct payments for a personal assistant and her disability related expenditure. Mrs C says her daughter has accumulated outstanding care costs which has caused them both distress. We have found fault in the financial assessment process but consider the action already taken by the Council of an updated assessment together with the agreed action of an apology and symbolic payment provides a suitable remedy. | 