A disabled Lambeth resident was placed in unsuitable accommodation for eight months, where he could not navigate through doors with his wheelchair and had limited access to the kitchen. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has ordered Lambeth Council to apologize and pay £1,000 in compensation.
Details of the Case
The man, referred to as Mr Y in the Ombudsman report, has physical disabilities and uses a wheelchair. He was housed in a property where he could only access the kitchen by entering backwards and could not turn around in his wheelchair. Over eight months, his health and wellbeing deteriorated significantly, leading to safeguarding concerns. He did not return to the property after falling from his wheelchair and being hospitalized.
Council's Response
A Lambeth Council spokesperson expressed regret for the distress caused and acknowledged failings identified by the Ombudsman regarding suitable accommodation, communication, and complaint handling. They stated: "We are reviewing the findings carefully and will take forward the recommended actions across adult social care and housing to strengthen practice and reduce the risk of this happening again."
Timeline of Events
In May 2023, Mr Y was in temporary accommodation provided by the council under homelessness duties. An occupational therapist noted he required a property with door openings of at least 860mm, ideally 900mm. After leaving the country for three months, Mr Y returned in August 2023 and submitted a new homeless application, which the council refused, claiming he was intentionally homeless. His case was referred to adult social care in August 2023, and the council housed him in hotel rooms while searching for accommodation.
In late October 2023, Mr Y moved into a property with a one-month tenancy. Days later, he reported the property was unsuitable: he could not turn around, could only access the kitchen backwards, and struggled with narrow doors. The fire brigade noted the property was unsuitable for rescue in case of fire. The council initially deemed the property suitable as a temporary measure.
Mr X, representing Mr Y, raised concerns about access issues impacting independence and dignity. In November 2023, he highlighted that the one-month tenancy had ended and that personal care was affected due to shower access. The council arranged a shower chair in December 2023, but an occupational therapist found it could not fit through the doorway.
In January 2024, Mr Y received a new wheelchair but could not use it until moving to suitable accommodation. By February 2024, Mr X provided medical evidence urging resolution. The council stated the homelessness pathway was unavailable and that only the private rented scheme was an option, with no properties available.
In June 2024, the building's lift broke, and Mr Y fell from his wheelchair, requiring evacuation and hospitalization. He did not return. Permanent accommodation was provided in July 2024, and Mr X managed the tenancy. An August 2024 needs assessment concluded Mr Y did not require formal care.
Ombudsman Findings
The Ombudsman found multiple faults: the accommodation did not meet Mr Y's assessed care needs, causing significant injustice; safeguarding concerns were not properly addressed; and communication and complaint handling were flawed. The council must apologize for "avoidable frustration and uncertainty" and pay £1,000 for "avoidable distress" due to lack of proper consideration of alternative solutions.
