Mark Whitehead 15 May 2023

Opportunities missed to help man who died of starvation

Opportunities missed to help man who died of starvation image
Image: DrimaFilm / Shutterstock.com.

A man with severe mental health problems died alone in his flat weighing four and a half stone after opportunities to help him were missed, according to a review of the case.

A report by the Nottingham City Safeguarding Adults Board said Errol Graham, 57, was found dead by bailiffs who were sent to evict him because he had not paid his rent for seven months.

Housing benefit had been stopped after he failed to respond to repeated requests for information to review his entitlement, the report said.

His gas had been capped off and his flat, rented from Nottingham City Homes, had no heating or hot water.

At the time of his death Mr Graham had no income for food and utilities, the report said.

It found that while Nottingham City Homes, the Department for Work and Pensions and his GP all had information on Mr Graham, none had the full picture of how he was living.

He was suffering severe mental health problems and the review said he could have received support if agencies had communicated better.

A spokesperson for Nottingham City Housing Services, formerly Nottingham City Homes, said: ‘As a direct result of Errol's tragic death and the circumstances leading up to it, we have reviewed our data sharing protocols with the DWP and introduced new joint processes to identify any appropriate support that may be required.

‘We have also amended our procedures where a single vulnerable adult is at risk of eviction, and now make a referral to our multi-agency eviction prevention panel to collate recent recorded contacts from all agencies involved.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Regeneration

Redbridge London Borough Council
£96,861 - £100,671
Right now, we’re in the midst of ambitious regeneration plans that will transform our borough for generations to come Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Head of Leisure & Culture

Redbridge London Borough Council
£96,861 - £100,671
Our borough’s Leisure and Culture provision is integral to making Redbridge a great place to live Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Head of Leader’s Office

Redbridge London Borough Council
£59,739 - £63,159
This role will see you working at the very centre of the Council’s work Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Head of Operational Services

South Derbyshire District Council
£73,051 to £75,342
Ready to shape the future of a thriving district? Derbyshire
Recuriter: South Derbyshire District Council

Director of Family Help and Safeguarding

Reading Borough Council
£105,836 - £121,235
Lead Transformational and Improvement Change for Children’s Services Reading, Berkshire
Recuriter: Reading Borough Council
Linkedin Banner