Supported Living LGO Archives - Centre for Adults' Social Care - Analysis, Information and Dispute Resolution

Bristol Council criticised for underfunding a direct payment for a Shared Lives Client who had spent private money on backfill cover for the Shared Lives’ carer’s annual leave.

Date of decision: 06 January 2025 Summary Mr X, a disabled adult living in a Shared Lives household, missed out on appropriate direct payments for respite care when his carer, Mrs Z, took her contractual leave. The Council’s offer to reimburse him for these missed payments was significantly less than the actual costs he incurred, […]

Bristol Council criticised for underfunding a direct payment for a Shared Lives Client who had spent private money on backfill cover for the Shared Lives’ carer’s annual leave. Read More »

West Northants exonerated with regard to the council’s preference for supported living over a care home provider, albeit on grounds that are dubious in law…

Leave a Comment / Care Planning, Budgets and Choice Rights, Care Plans and Cuts LGO, Choice of Accommodation and Top-Ups LGO, Choice of Accommodation post Care Act, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE care planning, and personal budgets, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Choice of Accommodation, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Not at Fault, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Not at Fault LGO, Remedies, rights, complaints, regulatory and criminal law aspects to adult social care, enforcement of one’s rights, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 20 April 2026 SummaryThe complaint challenged the Council’s timeliness, involvement, consideration of a preferred provider and complaint handling after an urgent review request about an adult daughter’s long‑term care; the Ombudsman found no fault, concluding the Council completed assessment and care planning within acceptable times, involved Ms Y and her mother throughout

West Northants exonerated with regard to the council’s preference for supported living over a care home provider, albeit on grounds that are dubious in law… Read More »

Birmingham City Council upheld in refusing to facilitate contact between a parent and an adult disabled person, now living in supported accommodation after ceasing to be fostered

Leave a Comment / How the Mental Capacity Act affects the Care Act, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE mental capacity and best interests decision-making, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Not at Fault, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Mental Capacity LGO, Not at Fault LGO, Remedies, rights, complaints, regulatory and criminal law aspects to adult social care, enforcement of one’s rights, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 23 February 2026 SummaryA mother complained that Birmingham Council delayed and then wrongly refused her request to have contact with her adult child, who had long been in care and now lives in supported accommodation. What happenedThe complainant, Ms X, has an adult child, Y, who was placed in long‑term foster care

Birmingham City Council upheld in refusing to facilitate contact between a parent and an adult disabled person, now living in supported accommodation after ceasing to be fostered Read More »

Hammersmith & Fulham found at fault for failing to address a care provider’s poor service and serious ‘quality of care’ concerns

Leave a Comment / Care Planning, Budgets and Choice Rights, Care Plans and Cuts LGO, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE care planning, and personal budgets, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Providers' 'Fault', Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Issues of importance to social care service providers, Providers' Fault LGO, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 14 January 2026 SummaryA man receiving council‑commissioned supported living care experienced poor, inconsistent support that failed to follow his agreed routines, leading to distress, continence and behaviour problems, and avoidable reliance on family input. When the issue was raised repeatedly, the Council’s social worker did not respond robustly or quickly enough, and

Hammersmith & Fulham found at fault for failing to address a care provider’s poor service and serious ‘quality of care’ concerns Read More »

Waltham Forest LBC found at fault for delaying decision-making about a suitable supported living provider’s services, despite lack of suitable alternatives

Date of decision: 20 January 2026 Summary Waltham Forest Council delayed funding a suitable care package in a preferred supported living setting for a man with severe learning disability and autism, despite his parents identifying the only viable option, and failed to both keep his father, Mr Y, updated. It deferred in exploring alternative providers

Waltham Forest LBC found at fault for delaying decision-making about a suitable supported living provider’s services, despite lack of suitable alternatives Read More »

Ombudsman finds Southampton Council at fault: woman in supported living wrongly charged £7K+ in residential care fees

Leave a Comment / Charging and financial assessment, Charging LGO, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE charging and financial assessment, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 11 November 2024 SummaryA vulnerable adult (Ms X) in supported accommodation was wrongly charged by the Council as if she were in residential care, drastically reducing the money she had left for everyday living costs. The Council delayed correcting the error, failed to answer repeated contacts from a support worker and solicitors,

Ombudsman finds Southampton Council at fault: woman in supported living wrongly charged £7K+ in residential care fees Read More »

Durham CC upheld with regard to three different conclusions as to a person’s eligibility for Care Act services, in 6 months

Leave a Comment / Assessment and Eligibility, Eligibility Findings LGO, Housing LGO, How housing rights fit in with the Care Act, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Councils' identification of needs and eligibility for funding or services, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Not at Fault, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE the interface between Housing and Care, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Transitions, Not at Fault LGO, Remedies, rights, complaints, regulatory and criminal law aspects to adult social care, enforcement of one’s rights, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO, Transitioning to the Care Act for adults' services from children's services, Transitions LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 29 November 2024 SummaryThis report concerned a parent’s complaint that Durham failed to properly assess and plan for her disabled daughter’s transition from children’s to adult social care services, resulting in distress and risk. The Ombudsman found no fault in the Council’s actions. What happenedThe young person, Ms Y, with what were

Durham CC upheld with regard to three different conclusions as to a person’s eligibility for Care Act services, in 6 months Read More »

Dorset Council at fault for delay in approving a DFG and in refusing to provide minor adaptations to the home of a full-time wheelchair user

Leave a Comment / Care Planning, Budgets and Choice Rights, Care Plans and Cuts LGO, Delay and non-commissioning, Delay In General LGO, DFGs LGO, Funding Adaptations of housing, for assisting care planning, Housing LGO, How housing rights fit in with the Care Act, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE care planning, and personal budgets, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Delay in General, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE DFGs, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE the interface between Housing and Care, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 27 May 2025 Summary Mrs B made a complaint to the Ombudsman that her son (Mr D, a full-time wheelchair user transitioning from children to adults services, with physical and learning disabilities) was forced to live in a home that was unable to meet his needs, after Dorset Council delayed in approving

Dorset Council at fault for delay in approving a DFG and in refusing to provide minor adaptations to the home of a full-time wheelchair user Read More »

Hackney Council at fault for failing to provide a timely alternative care arrangement and for an 8-month delay in dealing with a complaint, after a client’s death

Date of decision: 10 August 2025 SummaryMrs B complained the Council placed her brother Mr C in an unsuitable care setting without proper assessment or consultation, failed to involve her or inform relevant professionals, neglected to support him during emergencies, and delayed responding to concerns. The failings left her with significant distress and uncertainty about

Hackney Council at fault for failing to provide a timely alternative care arrangement and for an 8-month delay in dealing with a complaint, after a client’s death Read More »

Gloucestershire County Council at fault for unreasonable delays in sourcing a supported living placement

Leave a Comment / Care Planning, Budgets and Choice Rights, Care Plans and Cuts LGO, Choice of Accommodation and Top-Ups LGO, Choice of Accommodation post Care Act, Delay and non-commissioning, Delay In General LGO, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE care planning, and personal budgets, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Choice of Accommodation, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Delay in General, Intro to Ombudsman reports RE Supported Living, Supported Living and Care, Supported Living LGO / Aidan Miller

Date of decision: 21 July 2025 SummaryA complaint was made by Mr X and his mother, Ms Y, against the Council for repeated delays in assessing his care needs and sourcing suitable accommodation, as well as procrastination in pursuing a vacant placement at a preferred setting. What happenedIn November 2022, Ms Y, the mother of

Gloucestershire County Council at fault for unreasonable delays in sourcing a supported living placement Read More »