The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

Mother of tragic Libbi Toledo says system let her down.

Care: Children with mental health issues are not getting what they need, says mum

- Stewart alexander

The Angus mother of tragic Fife teenager Libbi Toledo has said her daughter “would still be here” if she had received the help she needed.

Libbi, 17, was found dead on September 21 in Kirkcaldy, 10 days after going missing from secure accommodat­ion.

The teenager, who had severe mental health issues including autism and ADHD, had spent three days prior to her disappeara­nce with family in Brechin, where her mother Judi lives.

Former Brechin High pupil Libbi had returned to the residentia­l care home in Kirkcaldy the day before she went missing.

“If she had got the help she needed then, maybe she would still be here,” said Judi. “We can’t guarantee that but maybe I wouldn’t have had to plan a funeral last month.”

By the time she was at nursery, the staff flagged up behavioura­l difficulti­es and Libbi was assessed for ADHD but never diagnosed.

She spent time in care because of her challengin­g and sometimes violent behaviour.

At the age of 14, she ran away from her foster carer and attempted to take her own life. Libbi was not diagnosed with autism until after her suicide attempt.

Her mother said she cannot understand why her daughter was not admitted to a mental health provision. She said she was “furious” that inpatient care was never considered.

Judi told BBC Scotland: “Secure accommodat­ion is never good enough for people who need to be in a psychiatri­c hospital. Secure accommodat­ion is successful in being able to prevent the dangerous behaviours but it does not address the root cause.

“I don’t think any parent should have to fight to get appropriat­e health care for their child. Kids are not getting the help they need.”

Scotland has no secure inpatient psychiatri­c care for children, unlike England.

There are only 48 inpatient beds for children and young people with mental health problems in the entire country.

There is also no specialist psychiatri­c provision for children with autism.

The Scottish Government said it was considerin­g proposals for a forensic secure inpatient facility in Ayrshire and Arran.

 ?? Picture: Kris Miller. ?? Judi Toledo feels her daughter Libbi may still be here if she had been given the help she needed.
Picture: Kris Miller. Judi Toledo feels her daughter Libbi may still be here if she had been given the help she needed.
 ??  ?? Libbi Toledo was found dead in September.
Libbi Toledo was found dead in September.

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