Thursday 30 July: Complaint form offline

We are carrying out essential updates to our online complaints form on Thursday 30 July 2026. The form will be unavailable from 8am and is expected to reopen later that afternoon.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Investigation Report 200502631

  • Report no:
    200502631
  • Date:
    September 2007
  • Body:
    Fife Council
  • Sector:
    Local Government

Overview

The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns against Fife Council Social Work Department (the Council) that they refused to pay transportation costs of Home Care staff to attend his mother-in-law (Ms D), at the property Mr C specifically leased for Ms D, when she was discharged from hospital.

Specific complaints and conclusions

The complaints which have been investigated are that:

  • (a)  the Council acted incorrectly when they advised Mr C he had to pay privately for the transportation costs incurred by the Home Care staff in attending to Ms D (not upheld);
  • (b)  the Council's decision not to pay transportation costs resulted in an impasse that meant no home care was provided for Ms D over a considerable period (not upheld); and
  • (c)  the Council refused to allow their carers to attend the elderly who live in off-main-road accessed accommodation, due to the possibility of vehicle damage occurring (not upheld).

Redress and recommendations

The Ombudsman has no recommendations to make.

Updated: December 11, 2018