The parents of a child with special needs contacted the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to complain about the suitablity of their local authority house to meet their child’s medical needs, and the delay in transferring their family to more appropriate housing. The family were concerned that their child was at risk of injuring himself because of the lay-out of his current house. This concern was supported by a medical professional, who had advised the Local Authority that a specially adapted building was required to address the health and safety requirements for the child.

During the OCO’s investigation of the complaint a number of issues came to light:

The family had been raising concerns about the suitability for the child of the current house since 2003. These concerns had not been addressed when the complaint was brought to the OCO.

Some adaptations to the accommodation had been undertaken by the Local Authority as an interim measure but not all had been completed

Plans had been drawn up in 2007 for a purpose-built property which had not been progressed.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office’s put the family’s concerns to the Local Authority and requested that local redress mechanisms be explored.

Following this intervention, the Local Authority informed the OCO that they identified a suitable property that may be extended to meet the young person’s needs. The complainants were satisfied with the redress offered by the Local Authority.

This Office impressed upon the Local Authority the need to provide clear communications to the family and their advocates until the family and the child had moved into their new house.

Posted in: Investigations Housing