Anyone got any ideas about whose responsibility this is?

[lougle]

We were allocated a LA house after the LA OT deemed us to be in unsuitable accommodation and moved us up a priority band. A LA OT had to approve this house for DD1, and did so.

The driveway (and part of the back garden area) had been thinly covered in tarmac by the previous tenant. When we moved in, the tarmac was not fantastic, but was 'ok'. Roll on 18 months and the tarmac is completely broken up because we park on the driveway. Underneath the tarmac is a mixture of various substrates, old stones, gravel, etc. The drive way is very steep and is now also very uneven. There are huge craters and high points. The pathway to the house is a concrete mix with stones in it. This has also started to break up.

DD1 falls, trips and stumbles easily. She has had two broken bones this year. On Tuesday she fell on the path, cutting both hands and one knee.

I asked our Social Worker if he had any ideas last year. His response was to suggest that I google charities

I phoned the LA yesterday and explained the situation. They said they don't do anything outside the building itself, but phone OT Direct, and if they assess the need, it can be done.

I phoned OT Direct, who said 'ooh you have a SW. I'll phone them and put you through, because they can refer you for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

Social Services told OT direct they thought it was them who had to action things. OT Direct told them this is not the case, and put me through to the duty SW.

Duty SW said 'I'm going to email OT Direct and ask them what they want me to do'.

OT Direct are going to call tomorrow and are saying that it is the LA's responsibility as Landlord.

Any ideas?

It's like a three way barn dance

I would start with housing maintenance as its council owned, same as any other repair.

Yes, I thought so, but the Council are adamant that they don't undertake maintenance outside of the property.

If a postman had an accident in your drive and you had written evidence of trying to resolve things, who woukd he sue?

Not OT or SS.

Maybe approach your mp.
It's got to be worth a try, to end the three way barn dance.
Otherwise they will keep on passing the buck!

Also try you're local councillor, as when i emailed my mp recently about school transport. Mp via secretary stated it was a local council issue, and to approach our councillor at town hall.
Good luck!

Thank you, very good points. I am expecting a phone call in the next hour from OT Direct. I'll update then

Ok, so lady has phoned. She's still of the view that it is the LA that are responsible. So she has taken details of the layout, DD1's conditions and how long we've lived there, etc. and she is passing it on to OT who may then pass it on to children's OT or pass it on to the Council, etc.

You know what, you can also play the integrated/children's services card.

Services are supposed to be joined up so it doesn't really matter if it isn't the OT department's responsibility. You have raised it with them so they 'should' solve it regardless of who actually pays and does the work.

Good point Star. To be fair, this OT does seem to be doing that. The first thing she said is 'I've checked DD1's Social Services record and nothing to do with this has been recorded despite you talking to them on Wednesday, so I am going to ...'

She's a good one, I think.