Coroner Raises Communication Concerns Following Student’s Death

A coroner has voiced concerns regarding insufficient communication between a college and mental health providers after the death of a 17-year-old student from West Yorkshire diagnosed with ADHD. Henry Grierson was discovered deceased on 21 April, three days subsequent to his expulsion from Huddersfield New College. An inquest revealed that college personnel lacked current information about his health status, prompting Coroner Angela Brocklehurst to caution that the institution might not have been fully aware of his vulnerability. A spokesperson for the college affirmed that staff would “always do anything we can to support our students” and indicated a review of how “difficult communications” were managed. Henry, who resided in Rastrick, near Brighouse, received an ADHD diagnosis at age 10. He ceased taking medication for his condition around age 14 due to adverse side effects, as disclosed during the inquest at Bradford Coroner’s Court. Henry’s suspension from college occurred on 11 April following an altercation, leading to his expulsion after an investigation. The inquest heard that staff informed his mother, Ruth Grierson, of the decision before sending an email to Henry. Mrs. Grierson described the college’s method of informing Henry as “very lacking in compassion” and stated he was “let down” by them. She asserted a “direct link” existed between the email and his death, adding: “His self-esteem was already battered and this was the last straw, and he was not being properly supported or dealt with.” A Huddersfield New College spokesperson clarified that Henry’s mother was notified of the exclusion prior to the email being sent, and his father was present when he read it. They further stated: “We have strengthened our process to work with families to understand how we can share information with a student after an exclusion decision has been made.” They added, “This includes understanding how we share information about topics such as the appeals process.” Henry had independently withdrawn from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in November 2023 and from the addiction organisation Recovery Steps in April. His family indicated he had “self-medicated” his ADHD with illegal substances. The inquest noted that the college’s safeguarding team was unaware of these discharges, which was deemed a “matter of concern.” Ms. Brocklehurst subsequently issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report, highlighting that “communication between the college and CAMHS and Recovery Steps was not seemingly maintained to enable an awareness by the college of [Henry’s] current mental health.” A college spokesperson expressed openness to measures that would “support enhanced communication” among organisations such as CAMHS, schools, and colleges. Mrs. Grierson advocated for improved understanding of neurodiversity within educational institutions. “I want this so children aren’t punished for things they cannot help,” she stated. She continued: “It’s really important that parents and schools understand – it’s not just about a child who can’t sit still, it’s about a child with mental health problems who could go on to become a suicide risk.” A fundraising campaign established in Henry’s honour to support projects for young people with ADHD has accumulated over £20,000. Mrs. Grierson remarked: “We miss him greatly, life is not the same, there will always be a before and an after. “It’s indescribable the pain we’re all in – but we have to keep going and do something meaningful for him so it doesn’t happen to other families.” The inquest concluded with a narrative verdict.