We have specialist expertise in representing individuals and their families who have been failed by mental health, learning disability and social services. We are committed to using the law to improve these services for the benefit of our clients and others who suffer similar failures.
We assist clients in a broad range of cases including representing those who have suffered significant psychological, physical or sexual violence in care homes or hospitals; individuals who have been mistreated whilst detained in hospital; and those who have not received the support they are entitled to as a victim of abuse.
We act for children who have been neglected or abused in taking legal action where local authorities and other agencies have failed in their duties to protect them, and in circumstances where employees or agents of the local authority themselves have perpetrated the abuse.
We also act for victims of trafficking and modern day slavery where state agencies have failed to identify and protect them.
We represent families whose loved ones have died whilst receiving care from mental health and social care services including those who were detained under the Mental Health Act, individuals under the care of learning disability services, and children in foster care. We also represent the families of those who have been killed by someone who was or should have been receiving mental health support to, amongst other things, identify whether anything more could have been done to protect their loved ones.
We advise families in relation to any investigations following a death, including the inquest, and we can also assist with any related civil claims. In such cases the families we have represented have been successful in obtaining from responsible authorities public apologies, commitments to systemic change, admissions of liability and compensation. We have also worked alongside families to lobby parliament for legislative reform for example in the passage of the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018 (also known as ‘Seni’s Law’).
In order to ensure that our clients obtain proper accountability, we can also assist in making referrals to relevant regulators such as the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Work England as well as referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist in relation to challenges to detention under the Mental Health Act, misdiagnosis and poor treatment, or legal challenges to obtain access to mental health care.
