A recent Ombudsman report which can be found in their News section has found maladministration by a local authority  in relation to a number of issues in their provision of care services to an elderly man after his wife died. 

http://www.lgo.org.uk/news/info.php?refnum=262&startnum=5  

The report  states that initially the Council provided a package of  care at home but there were serious concerns about the quality of care and the Council failed to ensure that the agency was complying with the care plan. It goes on to explain that the client was subsequently admitted to hospital and on his discharge the Council failed to undertake a proper assessment of his needs and he was placed in a care home against both his and his family's wishes.

Finally, it states that while the person was in the home the Council assessed him as a permanent rather than a temporary resident and consequently made excessive charges.The Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice on a number of counts and the Council agreed to:

• improve its monitoring of home care packages
• improve its assessments of residents on discharge from the hospital
• refund the excessive residential care charges of £11,800.64 levied on the basis that the person was a permanent rather than a temporary resident
• pay compensation of £600 to the person and £200 to the family for the avoidable distress and inconvenience caused, and £200 for time and trouble to the family member pursuing the complaint.

EAC's Advice Line provides advice and information on care at home and care in care homes, rights to assessment and care home funding, and can be contacted on 020 7820 1343.