Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Adults and Health providing an update and assurance that the Council has taken effective action in response to the Ombudsman’s recommendations contained in a public report issued by the Ombudsman against the Council.

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report informing the Board of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudman’s findings and recommendations, as contained within a public report, in respect of a complaint made against the Council regarding the standard of residential care provided to an individual and with regard to charges made for care. The report provided an update on, and assurance regarding the effective actions which the Council was taking in response to the Ombudsman’s recommendations, as detailed within the associated Action Plan, presented as Appendix 2 to the submitted report.

The Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships introduced the report, emphasising that the Council accepts the Ombudsman’s findings and has proactively responded to them via the action plan, presented to the Board. The Executive Member also took the opportunity to reiterate the Council’s apology to the family affected, for the distress caused to them. Further detail was then provided on the key findings of the Ombudsman’s report together with the actions being taken in response to them.  

In response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with assurance that all necessary measures, as recommended by the Ombudsman, had been put in place, and that the care home sector had been informed of the Council’s resultant changes in practice, which would require changes in practice for the care home sector also.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the actions being taken by the Council in response to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s recommendations, be noted, with the associated Action Plan, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report also being noted;

(b)  That the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Report (Appendix 1) together with the Ombudsman’s comments (under point 90 of the submitted report), be noted; with it being acknowledged that both the Council and the Care Home Provider have accepted the Ombudsman’s findings and agreed to implement the recommendations.