Social services praised after acting to remove vulnerable teenager found ‘covered in urine and faeces’
A teenager who had been subject to council child protection plans was taken from his mother’s care after social services staff were told that he had not changed his clothes for six months and not left home for two years, a judge has heard.
The youth, who lived in the London area and has mental health difficulties, was found to be “covered in urine and faeces”, Mr Justice Hayden was told.
He had been involved with staff at Bexley Council (pictured), in London, since birth, the judge heard.
Mr Justice Hayden considered issues relating to the teenager’s case at a hearing in the Court of Protection, where judges make rulings about people who lack the mental capacity to take decisions, on Wednesday.
He heard that the teenager, now 18, had been taken from his mother’s care and approved plans for future accommodation arrangements.
The judge was told that the teenager had made “significant progress” since leaving home.
He praised professionals involved and a couple who had cared for teenager in recent months.
Mr Justice Hayden said the teenager could not be identified in media reports of the case.
Bexley Council, in London, has responsibilities for the teenager’s care and had asked the judge to consider the case.
The teenager was represented by staff from the office of the Official Solicitor, who help vulnerable people embroiled in litigation.
A barrister who led his legal team said he had been known to the council.
Turan Hursit told the judge, in a written submission: “He (was) historically known to the local mental health and social services, having been on Child Protection Plans on two separate occasions for neglect and emotional/physical abuse.”
She said authorities were alerted after a relative called police.
A barrister representing Bexley Council had background to the case in a written position statement.
Winsome Levy said the teenager had been involved with the local authority since birth and admitted to hospital in November.
“… his condition on admission was described as having matted hair, he was covered in urine and faeces,” said Ms Levy.
“(He) was said not to have changed his clothes for ‘six months, nor left the home for two years prior to being admitted.
“‘His bedroom was smeared with faeces, and his bedroom stunk of urine.”
The teenager’s mother told the judge that her son had not been “covered in faeces”.
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