Councils must not ‘throw out the rule book’, says Ombudsman
Local authorities must not ‘throw out the rule book’ when restructuring services in response to cost pressures, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said. Its Under Pressure report examined almost 40 case studies it said contained systemic problems resulting from councils changing the…
Guidance launched to help providers deal with complaints better
An adult social care guide has been published to help providers and councils implement best practice when receiving and dealing with comments, complaints and feedback about their services. The single complaints statement, which has been launched by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and…
Councils warned over care home fees
Councils have been warned to be accurate when charging for care home fees following a complaint against North Somerset Council. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman heard the family of a relative, who left hospital following an amputation, was charged for the first six…
Fresh warning to councils over charging procedures
Councils across England have been reminded that information given to families looking to place relatives in care homes must be accurate and meet statutory guidelines. The move comes after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigated and upheld two complaints against North Yorkshire County…
Ombudsman appoints new members
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has appointed two members to its governing board, the Commission for Local Administration in England. Deep Sagar has been appointed chair of the audit and risk assurance committee, while Stephen J Perkins joins the commission as chair of…...
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Ombudsman issues care cost contract guidance
Social care providers can download fresh guidance from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to help ensure that cost information is clear in contracts drawn up for service users. The guidance follows concerns highlighted by a Competitions and Markets Authority report suggesting that providers…
