Only one complaint upheld by social care ombudsman

A complaint made on behalf of a man with severe health issues was the only one against Peterborough City Council's adult social services upheld by the ombudsman over the course of a year.

The case was one of 49 received by the council about the department between April 2023 and March 2024.

"The number of complaints being received about adult social care services in Peterborough is low, both compared with neighbouring authorities and in terms of the numbers of people receiving services," said Shabina Qayyum, Labour cabinet member for adults and health.

A total of 4,357 people received support during the 12 months.

The average complaint response time was 23 working days, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The figures form part of an annual review into complaints to be discussed at the council's adults and health scrutiny committee on 11 March.

The case upheld by the ombudsman involved a man who complained about the care provided to his son, who has severe autism, learning and communication difficulties, and schizophrenia.

The complainant said the council failed to arrange a Section 117 review for his son despite a recommendation by the ombudsman in May 2022.

A Section 117 means a patient gets free aftercare when they leave hospital for support or services linked to their condition.

The council was ordered by the ombudsman to apologise, and to pay £100 to the complainant.

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