Problems with your personal budget

Free complaints investigation for those with a personal budget and self funders.

New powers have come into force from the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) to investigate complaints from people who arrange their own care. This is in addition to complaints about care arranged and funded by local authorities, which the LGO has dealt with for more than 35 years.

The LGO’s new role includes those who ‘self-fund’ from their own resources or have a personalised budget. It will ensure that everyone has access to the same independent Ombudsman service regardless of how the care service is funded. In most cases the Ombudsman will only consider a complaint once the care provider has been given a reasonable opportunity to deal with the situation in a fait and independent way. They do not take sides and do not champion complaints.

The Local Governement Ombudsman is independent of politicians, local authorities, government departments, advocacy and campaigning groups, the care industry and the Care Quality Commission. For more information call 0300 061 0614 or go online at http://www.lgo.org.uk/adult-social-care