Molly Ann Sergeant · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 27 October 2020 an investigation was commenced into the death of Molly Ann SERGEANT, aged 17 years. Molly Ann Sergeant died on the 16 October 2020. The investigation concluded at the end of the 5-day inquest on 7 December 2022. The conclusion of the inquest was Narrative with a medical cause of death of ‘1a Hanging

Molly-Ann Sergeant was found deceased on 16 October 2020 hanged ████████ ████████ in Woodlands ████████ ████████ with the intention of ending her life and left a note. Molly was treated for depression and had a history of chronic self-harm that had required a prolonged hospital admission at St Aubyn’s under the Mental Health Act and did not accept her diagnosis with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Molly was discharged on 17 August 2020 following phased community leave with a plan in place for her mental health. Confusion between different statutory provisions led to her case being closed to social care and, significant delays in this case being reopened. Molly was allocated a social worker few weeks after her discharge for an assessment that was ongoing. Molly attended her Care Programme Approach meeting on 9th October 2020 and left distressed.
Suicide - Social care failed to carry out appropriate requested assessments during Molly’s prolonged hospital admission and there was not a coherent co-ordinated approach to meeting Molly’s social aftercare needs. Molly’s right to aftercare services was recorded but the functions were not discharged as they should have been during her admission, and this contributed to her death.

(1) Molly had a delayed diagnosis of Autism. Molly was diagnosed during her detention at the St. Aubyn Centre when she experienced a mental health crisis and detained under the Mental Health Act.

(2) There was insufficient assessment for discharge planning purposes of the impact of Molly’s recent diagnosis of Autism by Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

(3) There was insufficient consideration given to the impact of Molly’s delayed diagnosis of Autism on her chronic high risk of suicide in her discharge and discharge planning in a background of Molly not accepting her diagnosis.

(4) Lack of escalation to Essex County Council when there was a failure to respond to requests for assessment and attendance at discharge planning meetings and the key worker/care co-ordinator carrying too heavy a workload as a consequence.

(5) Essex County Council did not:
a. act on appropriate referrals to social care by Essex Partnership NHS Trust
b. conduct required assessments of Molly during her detention
c. did not appoint a social worker until after Molly was discharged

There was a lack of understanding of the impact of Molly’s detention on her right to assessment as a child in need and how this changed during her detention under the Mental Health Act.

(6) A lack of understanding of section 117 Mental Health Act rights and potential for consideration for entitlements to meet Molly’s needs related to her mental health disorder, by Essex County Council:
a. compelling Molly to choose between family members as part of her discharge planning and then as a consequence changing Molly’s status during her detention from homeless.
b. Lack of assessment for any s117 needs to facilitate discharge
c. Lack of appreciation of the impact of Molly’s autism diagnosis in a background of chronic suicide risk on decision-making and Molly’s potential to understand the decisions being made.