West Berkshire Council did not do enough to support a woman and her children who were fleeing threats of violence, the Ombudsman has ruled.

The woman approached West Berkshire for support because she was not safe in another council area where she was living.

But West Berkshire turned the woman away saying evidence provided by the police was not sufficient and it did not maintain its own housing stock.

The woman eventually found a private tenancy in West Berkshire after spending two months in interim accommodation.

The Ombudsman’s investigation found West Berkshire failed to consider properly whether it had a duty towards the woman.

If it had, it was likely it would have decided that it had a duty to provide her with interim accommodation.

The council has accepted the ombudsman Michael King’s recommendations to apologise to the woman, pay her £500 for the frustration caused and to improve its services for vulnerable homeless people.

He said: ‘Vulnerable people at risk of homelessness, such as this woman, should not have to face the uncertainty of not knowing whether they will be housed while councils argue among themselves about responsibility.

‘Any discussions about who should fund interim accommodation should take place while the accommodation is being provided, not before agreeing to provide it.

‘In the end the other council provided accommodation for the woman, so she and her children were not ultimately left unhoused, but West Berkshire should have done more to establish whether it owed any duties to the woman when she approached it.

‘I am pleased the council has now accepted my recommendations to improve its services for vulnerable people at risk of homelessness.’

A West Berkshire Council spokesperson said: 'We take our responsibility to assist those facing homelessness, including fleeing from threats of violence and domestic abuse seriously. We have dedicated teams and strong relationships with local partners in this field to support those in need.

'On this occasion we accept the findings of the Ombudsman’s ruling and following the recommendations we have reviewed and made the necessary changes to our operating procedures. In addition, staff in the Housing Service have received updated training in light of the outcomes of this case. The issues raised in this matter are also being highlighted to Members and Senior Managers as per the recommendations in the report.

'We will be formally apologising to the applicant and pay £500 for the frustration caused.'