Ellie Ames 05 December 2024

Child was at ‘constant risk of injury’ in unsafe temporary accommodation

Child was at ‘constant risk of injury’ in unsafe temporary accommodation image
Image: Local Government Ombudsman

A family with a disabled child had to live in an unsafe flat for a year and a half longer than they should have, an investigation has found.

Manchester City Council placed the mother and her two sons in the two-bedroom temporary accommodation after they became homeless.

But the mother informed the council that the property was unsuitable as she had to sleep in the same room as her son and got very little sleep due to his medical needs, while the stairs made the property unsafe for him.

The council agreed the property was unsuitable and made offers of other accommodation, but ultimately agreed that none were appropriate.

Manchester eventually found a more suitable property following a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Amerdeep Somal said the delay ‘had a significant and detrimental effect on the family’, with the son ‘at constant risk of injury from using the stairs.’

A Manchester City Council spokesperson accepted the authority’s ‘shortcomings’ and said it was working hard to house people in suitable accommodation after they had become homeless.

The spokesperson added: ‘This effort is taking place in a challenging national context, with high numbers of people with complex needs presenting as homelessness, a strained housing market and a scarcity of suitable available accommodation after 14 years of austerity, benefit changes and other policies which had stoked the issue under the previous government.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Ripon, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Bradley, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner