The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: Ms C complained the Council should have moved her son into supported living accommodation first, rather than immediately into an independent flat. She said that, as a result, he did not have the independent living skills needed yet, which resulted in distress to her and her son not being able to cope.
The complaint
The complainant, whom I shall call Ms C, complained to us on behalf of her son, whom I shall call Mr X. Ms C complained the Council should have initially arranged supported living accommodation for her son, to assist with his transition to living on his own. However, it moved him immediately into an independent flat without any support.
Ms C says her son was unable to properly cope without support.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. If there has been fault which has caused an injustice, we may suggest a remedy. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26(1) and 26A(1), as amended) We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered the information I received from Ms C and the Council. I shared a copy of my draft decision with Ms C and the Council and considered any comments I received, before I made my final decision.
What I found
Ms C says her son is a vulnerable young adult, who should be treated as an autistic adult with severe learning disabilities. Mr X lived with his mother and siblings in 2019 and he and his mother both wanted him to go and live on his own. Ms C complained the Council should have initially arranged a period for her son where he could live in a supported living accommodation scheme. She said this would have provided him with the support he needed, while transitioning to living on his own. However, she said the Council moved her son straight into an independent flat in 2019.
During my investigation, Ms C told me she would like to withdraw her complaint and pursue matters through the Court instead.
Analysis I decided to discontinue the complaint, because Ms C asked us to withdraw her complaint.
Final decision
For reasons explained above, I discontinued my investigation and closed the complaint.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman