Croydon Council failed a young woman with Down’s Syndrome and her father after she was left unable to take part in her favourite activities for more than a year.

This is according to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after it found that despite being made aware of the woman’s situation, council failed to ensure her care and that support continued without disruption.

This meant for a year the father had to use his own finances to support his daughter, and the daughter missed out on services she should have received.

Michael King from the Ombudsman said: “This situation has placed considerable strain on the family; the father has come close to not being able to pay his mortgage and other bills, and the daughter has missed out on social time with people her own age, which has had a significant effect on her wellbeing.

“The council has failed in its duties under the Care Act, which states it should have ensured continuity of care for the family when the woman moved into its area. I am pleased the council has readily accepted my recommendations, and now urge it to put appropriate support measures in place as soon as possible.”

Even after the woman moved to Croydon, the council where she previously lived continued to support her and her father with payments.

Nearly two years later, her father realised he was no longer receiving payments for her care and support, and so he chased Croydon Council.

The council agreed to repay the full amount of direct payments that it should have previously paid, and confirmed this in writing.

The council then reneged on this decision, and said it would repay a significantly reduced amount. It also put no support in place for the woman going forward so her father once again had to support his daughter using his own money.

A council spokesman said: “We very much regret that the funding to continue this client’s care and support package was not initially agreed when she relocated to the borough.

"We have reimbursed the family in full for her care and support package and compensated Ms C and her family for the distress this has caused.

"A comprehensive care plan is now in place and we have reviewed and strengthened our procedures to ensure continuation of care when a client relocates.”

The council will pay the family £2,500 to use towards a holiday or activities that they have missed out on over the past year.

It will also pay the woman £750 to recognise the distress and impact the lack of support has had on her wellbeing, and a further £1,500 to the father to recognise the distress and time and trouble its actions have caused.