The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s homeless accommodation contributing to a death, because there is a Coroner’s inquest which is better placed to consider this complaint.
The complaint
Ms B says the Council placed her son (Mr C) in unsuitable accommodation, which led him to his death. Ms B feels broken.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide there is another body better placed to consider this complaint.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr C was homeless; the Council arranged temporary accommodation. The Council placed Mr C in Bed and Breakfast (B&B) type accommodation, with no cooking or laundry facilities. Mr C moved to several different temporary B&B type placements. The Council accepts B&B accommodation is not ideal and it is working to reduce its dependency on this type of accommodation.
Ms B says Mr C was vulnerable and used drugs, and the accommodation was unsuitable. There were several other young adults with addictions in these placements, which was not helpful to Mr C’s wellbeing.
Mr C died at the accommodation. The circumstances are unclear and there is an inquest into Mr C’s death.
Ms B is understandably devastated by the death of her young son. Ms B feels the Council’s actions led to Mr C’s death. The Ombudsman could never conclude that. The coroner’s inquest will investigate the cause and circumstances of Mr C’s death.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms B’s complaint because there is another body better placed to consider it.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman