Southend apology over Down's case A young adult with Down's syndrome receiving care from Southend Council spent eight months in a secure psychiatric unit even though his mental health was sound.
The council's failure to provide adequate care caused the Local Government Ombudsman to conclude last week that it had caused the man, now 22, and his family to "suffer terribly".
The council has agreed to pay £35,000 compensation to the family for two years of inappropriate placements.
It admitted its handling of the case had been "unacceptable" and apologised for the distress caused.
The council had placed him in the secure unit after an unsuitable placement caused his behaviour to "deteriorate dramatically" and he became a danger to himself and others.
But his behaviour was not caused by mental health issues and the council moved him to the psychiatric unit without the consent of his parents, a retired couple with health problems who adopted him as a baby.
In another judgement, the ombudsman said Suffolk Council had failed to take appropriate and prompt action to protect a man's children from harm.
Two of the sons were placed in temporary foster care but one was returned to his mother without proper planning and in circumstances that put him at risk.
The council said its service to children and families was under "constant review" and had "continued to improve" since the failings identified by the ombudsman.
It has agreed to pay £5,000 in compensation, subject to approval by its standards committee.
