Inexcusable failures that led to a 16-year-old homeless teenager sleeping in a tent for 38 weeks have shown the district council is guilty of maladministration.

The child, who has been identified as J, had to sleep under canvas even in the snow.

On luckier nights he would sofa surf at friends’ houses, because his relationship at home had broken down.

Local Government Ombudsman Anne Seex found J suffered physical and mental ill health because of the injustice.

Frequently he had wet feet, back pain and a chest infection, because of DDC and Kent County Council’s failure to intervene.

She found maladministration in both authorities.

He has been awarded a total of £10,100, which the two authorities will have to pay between them.

In her report, issued today Ms Seex said that KCC failed to assess the teenager as a child in need and accommodate him, denying him his right to advice and assistance.

Dover failed to accept him as homeless and provide suitable temporary accommodation, or contact Kent children’s services about him.
Ms Seex added: “These failures are inexcusable.
“J was remarkably determined and resilient in the face of crushingly difficult circumstances and was well supported by the youth centre."

J had been fostered as a younger teen but when he was returned to his mother and objected to her relationship with an intravenous drug user, he was made homeless aged 16.

He applied for housing to DDC but was turned away.

A youth centre manager told Kent children’s services about J no record was made of the tip-off - and for six months Kent children’s services did nothing.

J was determined to stay ‘clean’ of drugs and out of trouble.

Although DDC would not accept him as homeless it offered him bed and breakfast, registered him for housing and offered him a one-bedroom flat.

He refused these offers because he did not want to be in areas where he would be tempted into drugs or crime.

When he was offered a suitable flat, the authority refused to accept a £1,000 guarantee from Kent Children’s Services, instead demanding an adult guarantor.