Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has criticised South Gloucestershire Council after it left a domestic abuse survivor and her child homeless by ‘fundamentally misapplying’ the law designed to protect victims.

The woman fled abuse in 2023 and sought emergency housing support after being told she had to leave a refuge. Despite evidence showing she faced severe and escalating danger, the council refused assistance because she lacked a local connection to the area.

The Ombudsman found the authority suggested she return to the area she had fled, claiming she would be safe living ‘three miles’ from unsafe addresses. Officials also dismissed repeated legal challenges from the woman’s support worker before closing the case entirely.

Ombudsman Amerdeep Clarke said the case should be a ‘wake-up call’ for councils nationwide.

‘What concerns me most is that these decisions were not made in error by a single officer acting alone. They were made and maintained with managerial awareness, in the face of accurate challenge,’ she said.

‘That suggests this is not about one bad decision, it may reflect a wider misapplication of the law that could be affecting other domestic abuse survivors right now, in South Gloucestershire and potentially elsewhere.’

The authority has apologised, agreed to pay £1,000 compensation and pledged further staff training.

A council spokesperson said: ‘We apologise unreservedly for the mistakes and shortcomings in responding to this family in 2023. This situation should never have happened and we know that we must do better.’

Check out our interview with Ombudsman Amerdeep Clarke: Who do you complain to? The new rules on social housing.