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A council has refused to accept it has done anything wrong after turning away a domestic abuse survivor who asked for help finding a safe home.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council failed to take a homelessness application from the woman despite the fact she had previously lived and worked there because she was living in another unnamed council area, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said.
An investigation by the ombudsman found fault with Oadby and Wigston’s treatment of the woman and her children and concluded that its reason for rejecting a homelessness application was flawed.
However, the ombudsman said the council is yet to take any responsibility for the injustice and has not accepted its recommendations.
The authority placed responsibility to accommodate the woman on the council in whose area the woman was living, even though she told officers she was at risk of domestic violence if she stayed there.
The family had to stay in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation in the other council’s area until Oadby and Wigston eventually decided to take their homeless application and house them.
Oadby and Wigston has insisted the blame lies with the other council, according to the ombudsman.
A spokesperson for the ombudsman declined to give the name of the other council.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Michael King said: “It is important for councils to be aware of their homelessness obligations and properly assess when they have a duty towards people.
“When vulnerable families are involved, it is particularly vital. It is not enough to pass the responsibility onto other councils simply because the person has applied to two separate councils for help.
“I have made some very simple, practical recommendations to help improve the council’s services for other homeless people and I would urge the council to review my report and accept the improvements I have asked it to make.”
The ombudsman has told the council to apologise to the woman and pay her £500 to recognise the injustice caused.
And it recommended that the council provides its housing staff with training to ensure they can identify when a homelessness application should be taken.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council has yet to respond to a request for comment.