Example
C applied for a community care grant to help set up their tenancy after a period of homelessness.
The council awarded items assessed as meeting the High Most Compelling (HMC) priority level.
During our review, we examined the council’s file and spoke with C’s representative, who explained they were providing intensive support in the home, including sensitive discussions that affected C’s ability to sustain the tenancy. Based on this, we were satisfied that a sofa met the HMC priority level and amended the decision accordingly. We did not change the decision regarding carpets.
Recommendations
- We instructed the council to award a two seater sofa as this met HMC.
Feedback for the council
- The council did not make sufficient follow-up enquiries based on the information provided on the application about the applicant’s circumstances.
- The original decision was issued later than the timescales set out in the guidance.
- The council’s notes did not provide a personalised priority assessment of items applied for.