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

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner