Report on an investigation into Complaint No 12 001 464 against Kent County Council
28.15Report on an investigation into Complaint No 12 001 464 against Kent County Council (2013) 16 CCLR 465
There had been maladministration resulting in X not becoming a looked after child, to remedy which the Council ought to treat him as being suchZambrano carers:homelessness
Report summary
Subject: In early 2011, Mr X aged 16, became homeless because his parents abandoned him. Mr X approached Kent County Council’s social services for help with both his housing and welfare needs. The council offered Mr X a foster placement. Mr X did not want this. The council offered no other alternatives. It did not help him with his welfare needs. Mr X moved between friends’ houses. He remained with one friend between February and May 2012 and the council agreed to pay the friend’s mother L30 per week. The friend’s mother was unwilling to provide accommodation to Mr X when he became 18. Mr X became homeless again. Council A could not provide him with accommodation because Mr X was not considered in priority need.
Finding: Maladministration causing injustice.
Recommended remedy: Mr X should have been assessed as a looked after child. To remedy that the council should now confirm Mr X as a leaving care child and inform Council A. The council has agreed to this and it has written to Council A.
In addition, the council should:
•Assess Mr X’s entitlement to services as a leaving care child and now provide those services;
•Set aside £3,000 for Mr X for the injustice caused to him by the loss of welfare benefits over a two-year period. This should be used, in consultation with the leaving care team, to promote Mr X’s independent living and is in addition to the services Mr X is entitled to as a leaving care child;
•Review the implementation of its joint protocol to ensure it is meeting the council’s responsibilities to all homeless young people; In bringing this report to the attention of the council’s Committee, it should ensure the lead member of children’s services is made aware of it.