A grandmother who has cared for her disabled son on her own for 13 years has had her complaints upheld after Croydon Children’s Services stopped her respite in 2015.

Her grandson, now 19, has autism and fragile X syndrome.

The grandmother was responsible for looking after her grandson after her daughter died unexpectedly in 2004.

Significant behavioural issues affect the boy when his routine is altered.

In 2011 the grandmother called Croydon Council for help before being granted a respite package in 2012.

The council permitted flexible respite use of three days per month and a seven day holiday break at the boy’s specialist school facility.

£1,000 was also agreed to be paid for a summer holiday but the grandmother insisted she needed more support.

In 2015 the care package was stopped and no respite has been provided to the grandmother since.

A severe epileptic episode was suffered by the grandson in the meantime resulting in him being hospitalised.

His grandmother reportedly became unwell emotionally and was unable to look after the boy meaning the council had to find a temporary replacement.

A complaint was issued to the Ombudsman about not receiving respite care.

An investigation was launched and concluded that the grandmother had been left without 43 days of respite and a seven day break for each of the two years.

Croydon Council has said that it will apologise to the family.

A payment of £5,000 to both the grandson and grandmother will be issued for the failure to provide respite since 2015.

£1,250 will be given to the grandmother for the stress caused over the last two years.

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: “This case involves a catalogue of unacceptable failings by London Borough of Croydon, which has left a family stretched to breaking point.

“Even before the respite package came to an end, this family was struggling. The grandmother made repeated calls for extra help and yet she was left to cope alone with her teenage grandson where ordinarily he would have had one-to-one specialist support at school.

“I hope the changes Croydon Council now makes following my report will ensure no other families are left in a similar position.”

A transition plan for the boy will be implemented by Croydon Council.