Case Studies

Janet lived in a private rental property as pictured. The water company contacted the landlord due to no water usage in the last 12 months even though the property had a tenant. The landlord raised the concern to environmental health who together conducted a joint visit. The property was found in a state of disrepair triggering a referral to Adult Social Care. Janet had trauma from historical events and physical ailments, leading to the need for multi partnership working including health.

Initially this was not recognised, and a holistic assessment of Janet was not undertaken, overlooking the plaster cast on Janets arm that had been there for several years following a fracture. The focus had been the house and environmental consideration opposed to the health needs Janet presented with.

Reluctant at first, however Janet did begin to build relationships with professionals and worked at Janets pace to make the safeguarding personal. Initially the landlord wanted to evict Janet, however Janet researched her rights and after a court hearing the judge ruled in Janets favour and enabled Janet to continue to live in the property for 6 months. Janet was evicted after this time.

Janet continues to this day to be heard as a vulnerable adult and is residing in a temporary accommodation provided over the colder months. Anticipated to leave now spring is approaching, Janet will most likely resume sofa surfing, sleeping in garages and periodically in accessible toilets. There have been numerous Mental health act assessments over the duration of services being involved, at no point has Janet been detainable and has been assessed as capacious around decisions specific to Janets way of living.

Financially Janet has considerable savings more than 10000, access to an occupational pension and funds in current account. Janet is also the landlady to multiple properties of which there are tenants residing.

Following this case training packages were updated internally to capture the need of holistic assessment of an individual and the need for multi-agency working and information sharing to maximise outcomes for individuals.