Suicidal girl is placed in rented house after council fails to find therapeutic placement

A High Court judge has approved an unlawful unregulated placement for a suicidal 13 year old girl who has been living in a hospital for three months, after concluding that he had no other choice amid a “scandalous” lack of provision nationwide for children with complex needs.1

The teenager, referred to as “J,” has diagnoses of autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and attachment problems. She was initially admitted to hospital after an overdose and self-harming but absconded from the hospital and threatened to jump off a bridge.

She has had several discharges and readmissions after self-harming and overdoses. She has assaulted her mother and hospital staff, damaged hospital property, absconded and self-harmed on several occasions, and been assaulted by an …