Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (24 013 136)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 21-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal of a disabled facilities grant. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

London Borough of Ealing (23 004 153)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 21-Jan-2025

Summary: The Council was at fault for delay installing the level access shower Ms X needs. The Council was also at fault for significant delay responding to Ms X’s complaint. The Council has agreed to apologise, make payments to Ms X, and act to improve its services.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 006 239)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 15-Jan-2025

Summary: Ms X complains about how the Council handled her application for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for home adaptations. We have concluded our investigation having made a finding a fault. The Council acknowledged delays in completing the necessary adaptations and failing to communicate effectively with Ms X throughout the process. While the Council has taken some steps to remedy the situation, there was scope to increase its remedy offer. The Council has agreed to our recommendations.

North Somerset Council (24 011 879)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 13-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to complete a housing needs occupational therapy assessment. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

London Borough of Haringey (24 005 621)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 10-Jan-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not send her Occupational Therapy assessments and closed the case without telling her. She also complained the Council carried out work at her private rented property without the prior knowledge of the homeowner and did not repair damage. Ms X said this caused damage which created health and safety issues. Ms X said this distressed her and her family. There was fault in the way the Council did not send the assessments, did not tell Ms X it closed her case and delayed repairing the damage to her property. This frustrated Ms X. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a financial payment.

West Sussex County Council (24 012 765)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 10-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision in relation to his father’s request for major adaptations to his home. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Birmingham City Council (23 020 889)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 09-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in responding to Ms X’s request for disabled adaptations. The Council has upheld the complaint and agreed to apologise and make a payment to recognise the injustice caused.

Stroud District Council (24 006 273)

Statement Upheld Disabled facilities grants 06-Jan-2025

Summary: There was no fault in the Council’s decision to require a disabled facilities grant application to be made by a property owner, rather than a tenant. The Council was at fault, because resources issues triggered some delay in the process, but there were also other factors which caused delays which were not in the Council’s control. We are satisfied, however, the delay caused by the Council creates some uncertainty, and the Council has agreed to formally apologise for this.

South Cambridgeshire District Council (24 010 804)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 23-Dec-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a disabled facilities grant or the Council’s decision not to waive a local land charge. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

Sheffield City Council (24 008 965)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled facilities grants 20-Dec-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council refused an adaptation to his property. There is not enough evidence of fault to merit further investigation.