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The mother of Sarah Lawson, the severely depressed 22-year-old killed by her father, has told Community Care her daughter was ‘absolutely let down’ by the social services as well as the health service.
Karen Lawson said her daughter had seen a number of social workers, but the only one who helped then moved on.

"[Sarah] had one in particular she got on well with and looked forward to visiting and was benefiting, but she got promoted," said Lawson. "Sarah couldn’t relate to the replacement and she ended up seeing no one."

"I would assume there would have been a second choice if you don’t relate to Miss x or y, but it was like: ‘you don’t find this helpful, so let's leave it at that,’" she added.

Lawson was speaking as it emerged that Worthing Priority Care NHS Trust carried out an internal investigation into the affair last May, but had not informed the family it was taking place or of its results. Lawson said she was disappointed ‘they didn’t have the courtesy’ to tell her about it.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "An internal inquiry was conducted last year into the days proceeding the death of Sarah Lawson, and the decisions made regarding her discharge. We were satisfied that staff acted in accordance with our policies."

He added that measures on drug and alcohol used in Homefield psychiatric hospital were in line with NHS policy both locally and nationally.

Sarah had a history of severe depression and failed suicide attempts, but was sent home from Homefield after allegedly passing cannabis to another patient. Earlier this month her father James pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he helped her do die by suffocation, and is awaiting sentence.
West Sussex health authority is launching an independent public inquiry, to which the Lawson family will be invited to contribute.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Council said social services would be playing a part in the review because the department was involved with the family before Sarah’s death.