# SPSO Decision Notice on assessments **URL:** \ **Category:** Assessments\ **Created:** [21 June 2025 20:11 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979 "2025-06-21T20:11:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MidlothianGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@MidlothianGuy](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/u/MidlothianGuy)\ **Post date:** [21 June 2025 20:11 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979/1 "2025-06-21T20:11:51Z")
Hello everyone, Some of you will be aware of my ongoing challenges with Midlothian Council in regards to my assessment. This resulted in escalating my complaint to the Ombudsman. The [Ombudsman’s decision has now been published online](https://www.spso.org.uk/decision-reports/2025/june/decision-report-202406507-202406507) and I hope it might be useful in other people’s cases. In short, the Ombudsman has re-confirmed that: - Care assessments should be clear, comprehensive, in line with relevant legislation and guidance, and completed in a timely manner. - If risk ratings are changed or there is disagreement as to whether risks meet the critical/substantial eligibility criteria, the council’s position should be fully explained. - An individual’s financial position should not influence their needs assessment (there was evidence on file to suggest that my financial means may have been a factor in assessing my needs and risks) If this report is helpful in your case, please do feel to reference it. And if you need any further details, send me a message. ---
**Author:** ![Josh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Josh](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/u/Josh)\ **Post date:** [23 June 2025 12:20 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979/2 "2025-06-23T12:20:33Z")
Has this fixed the problems? ---
**Author:** ![MidlothianGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@MidlothianGuy](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/u/MidlothianGuy)\ **Post date:** [23 June 2025 12:52 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979/3 "2025-06-23T12:52:44Z")
Surprisingly, the service have accepted the findings. The assessment isn’t complete yet; so time will tell what meaningful difference it makes. ---
**Author:** ![Josh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Josh](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/u/Josh)\ **Post date:** [23 June 2025 13:52 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979/4 "2025-06-23T13:52:06Z")
Sounds promising. I’m interested in any updates if you’re willing to share in future. ---
**Author:** ![MidlothianGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@MidlothianGuy](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/u/MidlothianGuy)\ **Post date:** [17 January 2026 19:52 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979/5 "2026-01-17T19:52:00Z")
Hello again, many months after my last update. This week we finally reached a conclusion to my ongoing saga - with some pushing back and constructive challenge, we’ve settled on a package that is just shy of five times the size that it was. Given my needs are exactly the same as they were in the first assessment, it’s a poor reflection of the Council’s original assessment… In summary, whilst the SPSO cannot enforce the regulations like a court can, it certainly seems to be an option worth considering. ---
**Author:** ![Josh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Josh](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/u/Josh)\ **Post date:** [18 January 2026 21:25 UTC](https://forum.sdsscotland.org.uk/t/spso-decision-notice-on-assessments/979/6 "2026-01-18T21:25:27Z")
That’s an amazing result. Sounds like you did a good job. Have you learned anything from it in terms of what kind of approach gets results? You said constructive challenge was a part of it.