Lewisham Council has been criticised by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for leaving a seriously ill child at risk after failing to act swiftly in a homelessness case.
The child, who was immuno-compromised and undergoing long-term treatment, required safe, mould-free housing within the borough to remain close to hospital care.
However, the council’s policy of waiting until a week before bailiffs enforced eviction left the family with no suitable accommodation options. They were placed in another borough in housing with damp and mould, preventing nurses from making home visits and forcing hospital travel.
Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, found the council delayed by 13 months in providing interim accommodation and mishandled the family’s complaint.
She accused the council of ‘brinksmanship’ and said the local authority had placed the child at ‘grave risk’.
Lewisham Council has since agreed to apologise, pay £9,440 in redress, and end its flawed eviction policy.
A council spokesperson said: ‘We have accepted all the recommendations made by the Ombudsman and will take forward the actions detailed.’
