To inform cabinet of a decision by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) of maladministration and injustice, and confirm actions being taken in response.

The monitoring officer introduced the report. She explained that the monitoring officer was required to bring the findings of maladministration by the LGO to the attention of cabinet and that all councillors had seen the report.

The cabinet member for health and wellbeing stated that in her view the report was self-explanatory and contained nothing for the council to be proud of. She asked the director for adults and wellbeing to explain the steps that had been taken to ensure such a failure would not happen again.

The director for adults and wellbeing stated that it was clear there had been a failure on the part of the council. The individual who was the subject of the report had been in a placement which was not suitable for his needs for 11 months and this was far too long. Although social workers were engaged in his care the move to a suitable placement only happened due to pressure by the family of the individual concerned. The director reported that significant steps had been taken to address the issues identified in the report.

Pathways had been redesigned for individuals in similar situations and reviews were being completed more regularly. It had been reiterated to staff that there must be a focus on meeting the needs of individuals. The director reported that the teams within this service area had been reorganised away from dealing with individual diagnostic cohorts into geographical teams, with a separate team for individuals with complex needs. Each team had expert professional advice and oversight. This had already lead to a reduction in waiting lists for care needs to be assessed.

The social worker directly involved with the case and the wider team had been placed on a development programme. This had drawn on expertise both from within the council and from outside agencies.

The director stated that this area of the service was not yet performing at the level he expected and that he and his management team were taking an active interest in driving improvements. He noted that some progress had been made and was confident that such a failing would not happen again.

The director for adults and wellbeing apologised to those affected by this case, in particular to the individual, his family, to cabinet and members of the council.

Resolved:

That:

(a)          the report and recommendations of the Local Government Ombudsman, at appendix 1, be considered;

(b)          the findings be accepted and the recommended actions agreed; and

(c)          in implementing the recommendations:

(i)      the director for adults and wellbeing undertake to apologise to the parties and ensure training is provided to social workers; and

(ii)     the monitoring officer makes the recommended payments.