Poor communication fears over Huddersfield boy’s death

A coroner has raised fears over poor communication between the college and mental health services following the death of a student with ADHD in West Yorkshire.

Henry Grierson, 17, was found dead on April 21, three days after he was expelled from Huddersfield New College.

The inquest heard staff did not have up-to-date information about his health and coroner Angela Brocklehurst warned the university may not have been aware of how vulnerable he was.

A college spokesman said staff would “always do everything we can to support our students” and would review how “difficult communications” were shared.

Henry, from Rastrick, near Brighouse, was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 10.

He stopped taking medication for his condition when he was around 14 due to negative side effects, an inquest at Bradford Coroner’s Court heard.

Henry was suspended from the university on April 11 after being involved in an altercation and expelled following an investigation.

Inquiry staff were heard informing his mother, Ruth Grierson, of their decision before emailing her.

Ms Grierson said the university’s briefings to Henry were “very uncharitable” and that Henry was “disappointed” by them.

He believed there was a “direct connection” between the email and his death.

“His self-esteem had already been eroded and this was the final straw and he was not being properly supported or cared for.”

A Huddersfield New College spokesman said Henry’s mother was informed of the exclusion before sending the email and his father was present when he read the email.

They added: “We have strengthened our process of working with families to understand how we can share information with a student after an exclusion decision has been made.

“This includes understanding how we share information about things like the appeals process.”

Henry was discharged from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in November 2023 and from addiction charity Recovery Steps in April.

His family said he “self-medicated” his ADHD with illegal substances.

The inquest heard the university’s security team was unaware of the evictions and it was a “matter of concern”.

Ms Brocklehurst released the Preventing Future Deaths report, which warned that “communication between the university and CAMHS and Steps to Recovery was apparently not maintained to ensure the university was aware of (Henry’s) current mental health.”

A university spokesman said they would welcome steps to “support improved communication” between organizations such as CAMHS and schools and colleges.

Ms Grierson called for better understanding of neurodiversity in schools.

“I want this so kids aren’t punished for things they can’t help with,” he said.

“It’s really important for parents and schools to understand that it’s not just about a child who can’t sit still, it’s also about a child who has mental health issues that could put them at risk for suicide.”

A campaign in Henry’s honor to fund projects to support young people with ADHD has raised more than £20,000.

Mrs Grierson said: “We miss him so much, life is not the same, there will always be a before and after.

“The pain we are all feeling is indescribable, but we must go ahead and do something meaningful for him so this doesn’t happen to other families.”

A narrative conclusion was recorded at the investigation.

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