A vulnerable individual experienced “distress and uncertainty” after being left without care for three months due to an erroneous decision by a council in west London to reduce his support, according to a ruling by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Hillingdon Council ceased the care of the individual, identified only as Mr. B in the report, believing that he no longer required assistance.
To address the distress caused, the council has provided a “symbolic payment of £300” to Mr. B, who has a learning disability.
The council acknowledged the ombudsman’s decision, stating, “We accept the findings of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and have implemented all recommended actions outlined in the report.”
According to the ombudsman, Mr. B had been receiving seven hours of support each week, which included assistance with meals, housework, shopping, and appointments.
In August 2023, Mr. B informed the council about bullying from a fellow resident in his shared accommodation. Shortly thereafter, his caregivers notified the council that Mr. B was capable of going to the store independently, preparing simple meals, and occasionally canceling his care.
In May 2024, Hillingdon Council conducted a reassessment of Mr. B’s care requirements, discovering that he faced challenges with speech, memory, and comprehension.
The council noted uncertainty about whether Mr. B had an official diagnosis of a learning disability.
They reported that Mr. B was able to convey the necessary information and determined that he did not require caregiver assistance, resulting in the termination of his care in June.
In August, an assessment confirmed that Mr. B did indeed have a learning disability, characterized by an extremely low working memory and difficulties with problem-solving. It also indicated that he required support to acquire new skills.
The council reassessed his situation in September and reinstated his care, stating, “Hillingdon Council now understands how his learning disability impacts him.”
The ombudsman concluded that a formal diagnosis of a learning difficulty was not necessary to ascertain Mr. B’s care requirements.
The ombudsman emphasized, “The council’s inability to address Mr. B’s care needs from mid-June to mid-September is a fault. This led to distress and uncertainty for Mr. B, as he lacked the support he needed.”
A representative for Hillingdon Council commented, “We have apologized to the complainant and provided compensation for the identified issues. As an organization, we continuously review our internal processes, including how we determine eligibility for care, to better serve our residents and meet their needs.”
