Man with mental health needs 'left without basic facilities' by east London council for a year

"A man with mental health needs was left in a bedsit without basic facilities for maintaining an independent, safe and dignified life for over a year by Newham Council. The man was living in a very small room with no oven, fridge or heating, according to an ombudsman's report. But Newham Council failed to find him somewhere more suitable for several months due to understaffing."

"The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman ordered the council to pay the man 1,000 for the distress and uncertainty this caused. The man, named in the report only as Mr Y, had been diagnosed with mental health conditions and received support from mental health services. He moved into the bedsit in 2023. The council's social services team assessed in June that year that he needed five hours of care support a week."

"But his brother, named as Mr X, reported concerns about his accommodation to a social worker in October that year. He was told Y would be referred for an assessment for extra support by the council's safeguarding and independent living team. However, an assessment had still not been carried out by May 2024, despite repeated attempts by Mr X to contact the team, as well as two complaints."

Mr Y, diagnosed with mental health conditions, moved into a bedsit in 2023. The bedsit lacked basic facilities including an oven, fridge and heating. A social services assessment in June 2023 found he needed five hours of care support per week. His brother, Mr X, reported accommodation concerns in October 2023 and was told Mr Y would be referred for further assessment. No assessment had been completed by May 2024 despite repeated contacts and two complaints. The council attributed delays to staff shortages. A social worker began a review in June 2024 but by November no appropriate placement had been found. The ombudsman ordered £1,000 compensation.

Read at www.standard.co.uk