Example
C applied for a community care grant for a fridge freezer.
The council declined the application on the basis that C's circumstances did not match any of the qualifying criteria for a grant.
We reviewed the council's file and corresponded with C. C informed us that they were receiving cancer treatment and were also the carer for their grandchild, who had been placed with them due to an unsafe home environment. They were supported by their medical team, and their grandchild’s social worker. We were satisfied that C was facing exceptional pressure to maintain a settled home and that the qualifying conditions were met.
Recommendations
- We instructed the council to award a fridge freezer.
Feedback for the council
- The council incorrectly interpreted the information in the application.
- The information requested from the applicant was disproportionate.
- That replacement of broken items must be planned for is not supported by the guidance broken items.
- The decision letters contained incorrect information.
We asked the organisation to provide us with confirmation that the award was made within one week.