Ombudsman slams councils’ poor care

Two councils have been severely criticised by the Local Government Ombudsman for their failings in the care of a looked-after young person with learning difficulties.

Ombudsman Tony Redmond found Essex Council, which looked after the young man, at fault for moving him to Kent even though it was told there was no suitable education available.

And Kent Council was criticised for failing to provide good education for the teenager while he was living there.

Redmond said both councils owed duties to the young man but neither met them and instead blamed each other. He said the case highlighted serious issues in the way looked-after children are cared for and the problem of liaison between different councils, and suggested “other children may not have had the education to which they were entitled”.

Redmond found maladministration causing injustice and fined Essex £8,000 and Kent £5,000.