Council slammed for providing 'unsafe' flat to homeless family including disabled boy with complex needs

A watchdog has slammed Manchester council for providing an 'unsuitable and unsafe' flat to a homeless family. The family of three, including a disabled boy with 'complex' needs, was placed in an 'unsuitable' two-bed flat by council officials.

The mother had requested a three-bed flat and complained the property was not suitable as it obliged her to sleep in the same room as her disabled son, leaving her with 'very little sleep'. She also said the stairs were a danger to her son as he had 'no sense of danger'. The flat had also start to develop mould and damp, according the watchdog.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has now criticised the council for taking too long to find suitable accommodation for the family.

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The mother, referred to as Ms B in the watchdog's report, had asked the council for a three-bedroom property with all the bedrooms on the same level, a downstairs toilet due to her son’s mobility issues and a small garden to allow her son to let off excess energy.

After she moved in with her family, the woman complained to the ombudsman in February this year. Officials later agreed the accommodation was unsuitable but they only offered an alternative in August, the ombudsman's report reveals.

The ombudsman's investigation concluded the council took 18 months too long to find suitable accommodation for the family and failed to pay enough attention to the needs of the woman's disabled son.

Ms B and her two children - one of whom required 'constant supervision' because of his complex needs, became homeless in January 2022. The family spent a period in hotels before the council provided a two-bed flat,