Croydon council forced to pay mother of four-year-old housed with uncle ‘targeted by violent gangs’
By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
A four-year-old was at risk of gang violence after Croydon council did not check on the child and their mum when the uncle – who had just been released from prison – was living with them, an Ombudsman report said.
The young mother told the watchdog she lived in fear of gang violence and had received threats at gunpoint, according to a report published this week.
The Ombudsman said Croydon council failed to assess the “potential risks” of housing her with her sibling.
The mother left foster care in 2016, aged 18, and lived in accommodation she could not afford with her baby, leading to her having significant rent arrears.
This was despite councils having a duty to support young people leaving care until they are at least 21.
Two years later her younger brother left prison and came to live with her as she felt she had no other option. The young woman gave up the second year of her university course to ensure her brother was safe.
The woman complained to the council about the lack of support they had received.
She was unhappy with their response and an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found Croydon council had not done enough to support the young woman and child.
Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: “The young woman at the centre of this case has told me how she lived in fear during the time her brother lived with her, with the very credible risk of him and her home being targeted by violent gangs. She felt she had to give up her university course to keep the household safe.
“Despite this, the council could not show any evidence it had looked into the risk this posed to the woman’s young child, who was only four years old at the time”
Croydon council was told to pay £9,250 plus any interest to the Student Finance Company to recognise the impact on the woman’s university studies and the debt she incurred as well as £1,000 for the distress and fear she suffered.
It agreed to pay another £300 in recognition of the time and trouble she spent complaining about the situation.
The council has agreed to carry out work to understand why it did not safeguard the woman and her child. It will also make sure staff know they must help care leavers fund suitable and affordable accommodation.
A spokesperson for Croydon council said: “We are very sorry that we didn’t provide our resident with better care and support, including properly assessing potential risks from housing her brother.
“We have apologised and compensated her for the financial loss and distress this has caused, and we have reviewed our procedures to make sure that we are offering all our young people the best possible support, as they transition from our care into independent living.”
Pictured top: Bernard Weatherill House, Croydon Council offices, Fell Road (Picture: Tara O’Connor)
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