Commissioning, Joint Working and Integration

Birmingham City Council’s failings regarding top-up process reveals a range of potential illegalities and errors of law

Date of decision: 28 May 2026 SummaryA woman was discharged from hospital into a residential care home after a stroke, needing double hoisting, with the Council arranging and funding the placement under the Care Act. The home chosen by the family charged more than the Council’s “usual” rate, and instead of ensuring at least one […]

Birmingham City Council’s failings regarding top-up process reveals a range of potential illegalities and errors of law Read More »

Hampshire excused for distinguishing between current and previous contractual arrangements with regard to uplifts, affecting top-ups

Date of decision: 23 March 2026 Summary A husband of a care home resident complained that the Council increased the rate it paid to his wife’s care home by only 2%, while other care homes with whom it was contracting received a 5% uplift. This created an unsustainable increase in the top-up fees he was

Hampshire excused for distinguishing between current and previous contractual arrangements with regard to uplifts, affecting top-ups Read More »

Portsmouth City Council found at fault for failing to conduct a financial assessment after an NHS Continuing Healthcare decision, leaving a resident with unexpected care fees 

Date of decision: 14 July 2025 SummaryPortsmouth City Council failed to notify Mrs X when she became responsible for funding her own care, causing personal distress, uncertainty, and unforeseen debt. The complaint highlighted a procedural lapse by the Council as it completely failed to do a financial assessment. What happenedIn early 2023, after a hospital

Portsmouth City Council found at fault for failing to conduct a financial assessment after an NHS Continuing Healthcare decision, leaving a resident with unexpected care fees  Read More »

A care provider alleging underfunding of a care package over a 2-year period is left to fight a fees dispute in court

Date of decision: 12 August 2025 Summary This report concerns a complaint brought by a care provider’s representative regarding Bristol Council’s refusal to pay what the provider considered to be the correct fees for an adult social care placement. The care provider claimed to be incurring a loss due to the Council’s stance on current

A care provider alleging underfunding of a care package over a 2-year period is left to fight a fees dispute in court Read More »

No fault found in Surrey County Council’s decision not to provide residential care, following hospital discharge 

Date of decision: 28 Oct 2025 SummaryA man complained that Surrey Council delayed the discharge from hospital for an emergency leg amputation, of his mother, by refusing to fund a residential care home placement and instead proposing community-based options with a care package. The woman wished to move into a care home. However, following assessments

No fault found in Surrey County Council’s decision not to provide residential care, following hospital discharge  Read More »

Bromley Council (acting as commissioning manager on a joint equipment contract) found to have ‘done enough’ despite significant impact from delay by the supplier in an end of life / Fast Track context

Date of decision: 27 March 2025 Summary The Ombudsman investigated failures by a company called NRS Healthcare to deliver essential equipment promptly to a terminally ill woman, resulting in significant distress and frustration for her and her husband. The case highlights the impact of delayed community equipment provision on individuals at the end of life.

Bromley Council (acting as commissioning manager on a joint equipment contract) found to have ‘done enough’ despite significant impact from delay by the supplier in an end of life / Fast Track context Read More »

Kirklees MBC at fault for failing to advise a service user about the likely costs of care

Decision Date: 16 Sep 2024 Summary The Council failed to complete an assessment in the allocated time which led to a man being left in a Discharge to Assess placement that was unsuitable for his needs. This meant that as he was, by the time the 4 week D2A period of free care had ended,

Kirklees MBC at fault for failing to advise a service user about the likely costs of care Read More »

Devon County Council found to be at fault for delay caused by arrangements for accessing OT input from an NHS Trust, preventing the implementation of the plan in a timely manner

Decision Date: 20th August 2024 Summary The Council was found at fault for delaying the response to a complaint, in the context of the complainant being led to expect a service from the integrated care service’s OT service, some 4 months after her assessment. The clearly identified need was for access to the OT service

Devon County Council found to be at fault for delay caused by arrangements for accessing OT input from an NHS Trust, preventing the implementation of the plan in a timely manner Read More »

Bradford MDC criticised for delay in the context of financial assessment but also for failure properly to consider a person’s likely eligibility for CHC consideration and thus failing to refer him to the ICB

Decision Date: 27 August 2024 Summary The Council was found at fault for delaying completion of a financial assessment of Mr F and providing information about the charges and not mentioning the CHC scheme for those with a primary health need.  What happened Mr F had been unwell with some severe health conditions for several

Bradford MDC criticised for delay in the context of financial assessment but also for failure properly to consider a person’s likely eligibility for CHC consideration and thus failing to refer him to the ICB Read More »

Kent County Council gets in a twist about s117 aftercare charging and needs to refund £114K, plus interest…

Decision Date: 03 Jul 2024 Summary: Ms F’s mother was wrongly charged a contribution to her residential care fees for 19 years when she was entitled to free mental health aftercare. The restitutionary refund was offered without any breakdown or interest clarity. Ms F wanted £2,560.80 in solicitor’s fees, on which it should not have

Kent County Council gets in a twist about s117 aftercare charging and needs to refund £114K, plus interest… Read More »