William Eichler 24 November 2022

Council fined £30,000 after disabled man left in unsuitable accommodation

Council fined £30,000 after disabled man left in unsuitable accommodation  image
Image: Madcat_Madlove/Shutterstock.com.

Birmingham City Council has apologised after a man was left in unsuitable temporary accommodation for eight years despite the council knowing it did not meet his needs as a wheelchair user.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found that for the past eight years, the man has been unable to access the property without the help of others because of a step.

The Ombudsman also discovered that the man has fallen while trying to get inside the property, and his wife has had to drag him inside, including when she was pregnant.

The Birmingham man has also not been able to wash without help because the home only has a bath and no shower.

The Ombudsman’s investigation found the council at fault for failing to review the suitability of the man’s accommodation despite his complaints.

The council has agreed to apologise and pay the man a total of £29,700, based on £300 for each of the 99 months he has already spent in unsuitable accommodation.

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: ‘For too long this man has had to live with the indignity of being unable to access his home and bathe without help.

‘Despite the council knowing the property is unsuitable, it has failed to offer him a proper alternative since 2014.

‘I appreciate the great pressures the council is under to provide housing for homeless people, but it should not have taken so long in this man’s case.

‘I am pleased the council has accepted the findings of my report and acted swiftly to provide the remedy I have recommended which recognises the length of time the family has suffered.’

A council spokesperson said: ‘Birmingham City Council apologises unreservedly to the tenant in this particular case and has agreed to pay them the full compensation outlined in the report, and continue to work with the household to source the suitable accommodation that the tenant seeks.

‘All the other recommendations in the report will also be acted upon and new systems have been put in place to ensure we do all we can to prevent a similar case reoccurring.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
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 have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner