Enfield Council ordered to pay £1,500 over domestic abuse survivor's relocation delay

Enfield Council must pay £1,500 to a domestic abuse survivor after delaying her relocation and that of her children for eight months. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman ruled that the council’s failure to move the family away from the area where the survivor’s ex-partner worked caused significant distress and injustice.

The woman, identified as ‘Miss B’ in the ombudsman’s report, first complained to the council in January 2025. She stated that the temporary accommodation provided was unsafe because it was too close to the workplace of ‘Mr C’, her ex-partner who had a history of domestic abuse. Miss B also reported difficulties contacting her housing officer, with the council only responding the following month to apologise and promise improved communication.

Harassment and Unsuitable Accommodation

By March 2025, a council review noted that Mr C had learned of Miss B’s address and was harassing the family, making unauthorised visits. Miss B had provided the council with two crime numbers related to incidents in September 2024. The council's own review concluded that the property was no longer suitable for Miss B.

The ombudsman stated that the council had an immediate duty to move Miss B to more suitable accommodation. However, the move did not occur until November 2025, eight months later. The ombudsman’s report noted that while the council attempted to find alternative temporary accommodation before November, all offers were deemed unsuitable. These unsuitable offers were either too far from the children’s school or were located in areas known to Mr C.

The ombudsman described the situation as a “service failure” and ordered the council to issue an apology and make a “symbolic payment” of £1,500 to Miss B in recognition of the injustice she suffered. The report stated that the prolonged period in unsuitable accommodation, alongside poor living conditions, caused distress to Miss B and her children.

Council Response

A spokesperson for Enfield Council stated that the council accepted the ombudsman’s findings and had “fully complied” with its recommendations. The spokesperson acknowledged that the case involved complex safeguarding considerations and that identifying suitable accommodation took longer than it should have. The council recognised that this specific case fell below expected standards but reiterated its commitment to supporting survivors of domestic abuse and those facing homelessness, with resident safety and wellbeing as its highest priority.

The council also referenced its new violence against women and girls strategy, approved in March, which aims to create a borough free from domestic abuse and violence. The spokesperson added that residents should be confident their safety concerns would be taken seriously and that support is available.