Council must pay for 'uncertainty' over care review

Peterborough City Council said it accepted the findings by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

A man who claimed he was "excluded" from his brother's care process has received an apology from the council.

Peterborough City Council acknowledged it failed to properly determine the views of Mr Y, a man with autism who is in supported living.

A report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said Mr Y had a tendency to say what he thought others wanted to hear. This left uncertainty as to whether his views were properly represented.

The council said it had carried out the actions required in the report and would "recognise the learnings from this".

The complaint was made by Mr X, who had wanted to attend his brother's (Mr Y’s) next care review meeting.

He was told by the council that Mr Y had not wanted him to be invited, but Mr X said he was concerned his brother had been manipulated to say this.

The council then appointed a social worker to help understand Mr Y’s views.

According to the ombudsman's report, the social worker visited Mr Y twice in January 2023 and confirmed he wanted Mr X to attend his reviews.

The social worker was satisfied Mr Y had capacity to understand, retain, use and weigh up information but had concerns that what he conveyed depended on who he was speaking to.

They spoke with Mr Y about having an advocate who was someone neutral who could express Mr Y’s views and wishes. Mr Y agreed to this.

The ombudsman found the council had been at "fault causing injustice" and said the council had "agreed to remedy".

The ombudsman also directed the council to pay Mr Y £200 because of the uncertainty he was caused.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “We accept the findings by the Ombudsman, have carried out the actions required in their report and will recognise the learnings from this.

"We would also like to offer our apologies to the individuals involved for any distress caused.”