A vulnerable teenager faced eviction threats after Richmond Council failed to fund her supported accommodation following her discharge from a mental health hospital.
A public watchdog investigation revealed that the local authority neglected its legal duty to cover the housing placement costs under the Mental Health Act.
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Ombudsman Report Details Council's Failure
According to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report, the teenager, identified as Miss X, was sectioned in 2020 and referred to Richmond's children's services in May 2023 to plan her discharge.
Although she moved into the placement in April 2024 and became eligible for free aftercare, Richmond Council failed to approve the necessary funding.
The accommodation provider informed the teenager's father in September that no rent or bills had been paid since May 2024, leaving the family with a debt exceeding £10,000.
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Despite a council case review in November acknowledging a funding shortfall, the provider threatened eviction again in December 2024, prompting the father to lodge an official complaint.
The ombudsman determined that Richmond Council and the NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) accepted that the housing met Miss X's statutory aftercare needs.
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Consequently, the watchdog ruled that the local authorities were legally required to cover the full costs of the placement, leaving the girl financially worse off after she paid for weekly utility costs herself.
