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

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner