Advocacy LGO

North Yorkshire Council at fault for delays in provision of advocacy and minor adaptations

Date of decision: 20 April 2026 SummaryA disabled man complained that the Council mishandled his care, support and accommodation, including advocacy access, hospital discharge arrangements, community support, information‑sharing, and housing/OT input. The complaint about advocacy and adaptations was upheld. Most of the other allegations, including claims of dishonesty, discrimination, failures around safeguarding, community access support […]

North Yorkshire Council at fault for delays in provision of advocacy and minor adaptations Read More »

Surrey County Council criticised for operation of a hospital discharge pathway system

Date of decision: 05 February 2026 SummaryA daughter complained that the Council did not fund her elderly father’s first six weeks in a nursing home under the Discharge to Assess pathway after hospital discharge, then handled her concerns about eligibility and charging with confusing, contradictory explanations. The Council’s own records alternated between describing the placement

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Suffolk County Council found at fault for poor communication and delay in safeguarding investigation, involving allegations against a power of attorney holder

Date of decision: 11 November 2025 SummaryA woman (Mrs C), who holds power of attorney for her elderly relative (Mrs E), complained that the Council’s safeguarding investigation into her relative’s home care mishandled serious concerns about medication, diet and an unwanted hospital admission, while also investigating counter-allegations against her, from the care provider, without informing

Suffolk County Council found at fault for poor communication and delay in safeguarding investigation, involving allegations against a power of attorney holder Read More »

Kent County Council found to have followed correct safeguarding procedures, despite complaints 

Date of decision:04 March 2025 SummaryMr X complained about Kent County Council’s safeguarding investigation into his mother’s situation when she was admitted to hospital and the delays in providing him with an advocate, causing him significant distress and uncertainty. The Ombudsman found no fault on the part of the Council. We are not sure that

Kent County Council found to have followed correct safeguarding procedures, despite complaints  Read More »

Lewisham Council left a disabled person without a requested review or a response on a direct payments request over a 13 month period

Date of decision: 26 February 2025 Summary A disabled adult was left without care and support tailored to her needs for over a year because the Council failed to review her care plan or respond to her repeated requests for a direct payment to employ a personal assistant. The Council’s actions caused distress and deprived

Lewisham Council left a disabled person without a requested review or a response on a direct payments request over a 13 month period Read More »

Delays and poor communication by North Lincolnshire Council  in arranging care meant an autistic man received inconsistent and less than his planned for provision

Date of decision: 7 September 2025 SummaryA man complained that North Lincolnshire Council failed to provide his assessed 28 hours per week of care and advocacy support, resulting in mental health crisis and anxiety. The Ombudsman found the Council delayed finding a new care provider and failed to confirm with him how he wished to

Delays and poor communication by North Lincolnshire Council  in arranging care meant an autistic man received inconsistent and less than his planned for provision Read More »

Lincolnshire County Council at fault for its delegate, the Partnership Trust, delaying an increase of care and support hours, following several safeguarding referrals

Date of decision: 13 April 2025 Summary A disabled woman with complex mental health needs was left without the care and support she was entitled to after moving into a new council area, contrary to the Care Act. The Council (through its delegate, the Partnership Trust, as a s75 partner) failed to ensure her needs

Lincolnshire County Council at fault for its delegate, the Partnership Trust, delaying an increase of care and support hours, following several safeguarding referrals Read More »

Haringey delayed discharging its duty, leaving a man with substantial difficulties in engagement, without representation or support

Decision Date: 25th February 2025 Summary Mr X, who lacks capacity to make decisions about his welfare and finances, experienced significant delays and inadequate support from the Council following the illness and subsequent death of his aunt, who had been managing his affairs – so he was left without access to his funds and without

Haringey delayed discharging its duty, leaving a man with substantial difficulties in engagement, without representation or support Read More »

Essex County Council failed to provide an appropriately qualified needs assessor or Care Act advocate, to make reasonable adjustments, and nor did it meet an assessed need for communication support for a deafblind individual

Decision Date: 17 October 2024 Summary There was no suitably trained communication support worker nor a competent assessor for a person with complex needs and deafblindness. Additionally, the failure to ensure that Ms Y was able to contact her direct payment manager or to consider the need for a Care Act advocate amounted to failure

Essex County Council failed to provide an appropriately qualified needs assessor or Care Act advocate, to make reasonable adjustments, and nor did it meet an assessed need for communication support for a deafblind individual Read More »

Bradford Metropolitan District Council found at fault for failing to include an individual’s family in a CHC checklist assessment

Decision Date: 29th September 2024 Summary Mrs C’s family was not notified of her scheduled continuing healthcare checklist assessment, which resulted in the Council failing to account for information relevant to its own assessment and also in delay to the NHS considering Mrs C’s eligibility for funding towards her health needs. This caused unnecessary distress

Bradford Metropolitan District Council found at fault for failing to include an individual’s family in a CHC checklist assessment Read More »