Criticism of social services over the Randalls’ case is ‘unfair’

A senior county councillor has warned there is a danger social workers are being demonised following the publication of the Serious Case Review into the deaths of Jean and Derrick Randall.

A review, launched after the couple were found dead inside their Kingsthorpe home in January, yesterday concluded that social services, Northampton General Hospital and Age Concern could have done nothing to prevent their deaths.

The review found the couple had not frozen to death, as previously feared, but died of natural causes having turned down 17 separate offers of help from social services.

Yesterday, national newspapers again printed headlines criticising the level of care offered to the Randalls.

Councillor Joan Kirkbride, (Con, Bugbrooke), deputy leader of Northampton County Council, said social workers were now “damned if they do and damned if they don’t”.

She said: “I did read one of the national newspapers today and I did think what did they want us to do? What are we supposed to do when people have declined our help? Do we force it on them? That is not what we are here for.

“These sorts of Serious Case Reviews are hard on our staff. They are doing a very, very good job on our social services side and it is hard for them to see these criticisms in the media about what they should have done and what they shouldn’t have done when they know that what they have done is provide the best support they can.”

Following the case of Mr and Mrs Randall, Counsel and Care, a leading charity for elderly people, called for a national review into care for the elderly.

Stephen Burke, chief executive of the charity, said: “With increasing numbers of older people living isolated, lonely lives, it would be helpful for a national review to consider what could be done to help older people who refuse care and support.

“Ongoing support for older people such as befriending may be needed to prevent isolation and loneliness, rather than interventionist strategies that take away a person’s human rights and self-determination.”