Essex coroner flags failures in care before boy's death

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 14:48 · Archive

Essex County Council admitted opportunities were missed in the care of 14-year-old Scotty Henniker before he died in September 2023.

Scotty Henniker, a 14-year-old with autism and ADHD, was found dead at his home on September 24, 2023. An inquest into his death concluded on March 4 this year. The coroner found that Scotty did not have the capacity to form an intent when he died and did not understand the concept of death. His medical cause of death was recorded as asphyxiation due to hanging.

Essex area coroner Sonia Hayes issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report identifying multiple failings in Scotty's care. She found that Scotty had been deemed at high risk of harming himself in April 2023. However, specific concerns about his deteriorating mental health were not fully shared by social care with mental health services. A mental health referral for therapy and psychiatric assessment was made at the end of April 2023 but was chased twice without success.

The coroner found that Scotty was not reviewed by a psychiatrist despite the referral. In June, a request for a psychiatry review was declined on the grounds that Scotty showed no symptoms of depression. Mental health services were reassured that as Scotty "was going out" he was not depressed. He was discharged from children and adolescent mental health services on August 2, 2023, with no treatment.

A further request from his family for a psychiatric assessment was not passed to mental health services by social care. The coroner also noted that Scotty's family had not been told they could self-refer to mental health services. The coroner concluded that no professionals' meetings were arranged in the 12 months before Scotty's death and said this contributed to his death.

Essex County Council admitted that "opportunities were missed" in the months before Scotty's death. The coroner issued the Prevention of Future Deaths report after concluding there was a risk that future deaths could occur unless action was taken.

How it is being reported

• 'Opportunities were missed' before death of Essex boy, 14, council admitsEssex County Council admits opportunities were missed before autistic teenager Scotty Henniker died, as coroner flags serious care and mental health failings.Brentwood Guardian · 3 Nov, 14:00
• 'Opportunities were missed' before death of Essex boy, 14, council admitsEssex County Council admits opportunities were missed before autistic teenager Scotty Henniker died, as coroner flags serious care and mental health failings.Echo (Basildon) · 3 Nov, 14:00
• 'Opportunities were missed' before death of Essex boy, 14, council admitsEssex County Council admits opportunities were missed before autistic teenager Scotty Henniker died, as coroner flags serious care and mental health failings.Colchester Gazette · 3 Nov, 14:00
• Death of young boy, 14, sparks concerns about Essex mental health supportScotty Henniker, 14, had not seen a professional in the 12 months before his deathEssexLive · 3 Nov, 06:00

In this story: Scotty Henniker · Sonia Hayes · Essex County Council · Essex

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