Council 'at fault' for domestic abuse case handling

The woman told the council she needed to "move urgently" in May 2023

Kirklees Council has been told to apologise to a domestic abuse victim for failing to rehome her quickly enough.

According to a report by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO), the council refused a homelessness application from the woman despite evidence she was at risk from her former partner, delaying her move by more than a month.

The LGO said the delay had caused the woman "avoidable distress and uncertainty".

The council said it "acknowledged" the findings of the report and that it had implemented its recommendations.

The report said the woman, referred to as Miss X, first reported being a victim of domestic abuse from her former partner in May 2023 and said she needed to "move urgently."

But the council did not increase her priority to Band B on the housing waiting list until late June, despite evidence she was at risk, the report said.

The watchdog found the council "at fault" for this delay and said it should apologise to the woman for the "distress and uncertainty" she suffered.

It also said it should offer her a "symbolic" payment of £300.

The report said the council later admitted it should have accepted the woman's homelessness application.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the findings of the Ombudsman and have agreed to implement and complete the actions outlined, within the timeframe set.

"We have also taken the learning from this case in order to bring about service improvements in relation to accepting homelessness applications in the future.

"The council takes reports of domestic abuse seriously. Where this results in someone being unable to remain in their home, they should contact the Housing Solutions Service for further assistance."

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