Councils to face £75m aftercare bill

Local authorities will eventually have to reimburse people who were
incorrectly charged for aftercare following their discharge from
compulsory detention in hospital to the tune of £75m, local
government ombudsmen have predicted.

To date, social services departments in 101 councils have
identified and reimbursed 829 people who were charged in error for
their mental health aftercare. Some £11.6m has been paid in
reimbursements and a further 2,371 people likely to be due
restitution will bring the total to £45m.

Allowing for the remaining 49 councils in England with social
services responsibilities, the ombudsmen predicted the final figure
would rise to £75m.

– Report from www.lgo.org.uk

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