Disabled dad rewarded £5,000 from Dumfries & Galloway Council

A DISABLED dad who waited nearly five years for a housing revamp is to be awarded £5,000 in compensation from the council.

The father-of-two complained to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman after being frustrated by a lack of action from social workers who were asked to assess his suitability for a private sector grant.

But the watchdog’s critical investigation report, released on Wednesday, said the “identification of needs” was being “driven by knowledge that there are limited finances available to meet possible needs rather than the actual assessment of needs”.

The authority was found to be breaching disability legislation by putting cash concerns first.

Social work chiefs have admitted responsibility and will carry out a full review of their policy.

They’ve been ordered to pay the compensation and carry out the housing work that the complainant needs.

The Ombudsman’s report concludes: “I find that there have been failures to undertake adequate assessments of the family’s needs in a timely manner, failures to properly apply the council’s private sector housing improvement grant policy and a failure to resolve matters.”

The man, known as Mr C, suffered devastating injuries in a motorcycle accident in 2004.

He was hospitalised for six months and was left permanently wheelchair-bound.

Council officials met with the man and his wife while he was still in hospital.

The family agreed to buy a smaller house on the promise it would be modified with the aid of a private housing grant.

However, he was later told that the maximum grant that could be offered was £20,000 – £12,000 less than the cost of the work. A case was then taken to the council’s complaints review panel which was upheld.

It recommended that the council meet the £12,000 shortfall, but a community services committee later rejected the suggestion.

The man, who lives in the Stranraer area, then contacted the Ombudsman.

That was done with the help of local councillor Willie Scobie who said: “The Ombudsman recognised that the complaints process had done little to assist matters.

“As such, there has been a clear failure to provide Mr C and his family with the support required, under the 1970 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act.

“It is now official, as the Ombudsman said, that the identified needs are being driven by the knowledge that there are limited finances available.”

It’s understood there are other cases outstanding from disabled residents yet to receive housing grants.

Four of those cases were taken to a council complaints panel in February.

In a statement, John Alexander, the council’s director of social work services, said: “Firstly, we wish to make the point that the council has previously offered an apology to the complainant and we take the opportunity to restate this.

“Secondly, as a council, we wish to re-assure members of the public that we are always committed to listen and to act on what our service users tell us about the services they receive, particularly when things do go wrong, at times.

“Thirdly, with regard to the report, the complainant and the Ombudsman will be aware that we have already accepted all the recommendations made.

“The council is satisfied that the Ombudsman found staff had worked with, and for, the complainant and his family in this matter.

“We shall, however, remain engaged with the complainant and his family to progress the necessary work, which hopefully delivers the adaptations that meet their needs to their satisfaction.”

Galloway and Upper Nithsdale MSP, Alex Fergusson, said: “This is why the Ombudsman is in place – to find fault in the council if they are acting improperly.

“Clearly on this occasion this has been the case and the punishment reflects this.

“This dates to 2004 and I would hope the council’s practices have improved, but there is the issue here over the length of time it has taken the ombudsman to deliver this verdict.

“What is important is that they have found, and justice will be done.”