We investigated Mrs A’s complaint about whether the Council adhered to the appropriate guidelines, regulations and associated code of practice in relation to 2 carers assessments and the decision made by the Council to decline overnight respite as recommended in both assessments.
The investigation found that the carers’ assessment lacked the key elements as required under the relevant code. Whilst the second assessment identified the emotional and physical impact on Mrs A due to her caring role, and that she had not been receiving adequate breaks, the assessment did not sufficiently integrate detailed analysis of her son, B’s, behavioural needs, sleep patterns, and level of dependency into a clear, outcome-focused rationale for overnight respite provision. This likely impacted on the decision to decline overnight respite. These shortcomings in the assessment process amounted to service failure which caused Mrs A and injustice. This complaint was upheld.
Whilst the panel decision to decline overnight respite based on the information contained in the assessment was likely to have been appropriate, some of the actions it proposed could have been facilitated sooner. This was a shortcoming which likely delayed the decision-making process. The complaint was upheld to this limited extent.