Osbornes Law Secures Mental Health Support for Asylum Seeker

Mental health support

Contact

Edward Taylor

Table of Contents

Home office backs down over decision to deny mental health support to suicidal torture victim seeking asylum

The Home Office has backed down over its decision to deny mental health support to a suicidal torture victim seeking asylum.

The background

The orphaned migrant arrived in the UK on a small boat in August 2022 after fleeing Ethiopia where he was detained and tortured for taking part in anti-government demonstrations. His father had been killed for the same reason and, although he escaped with his mother, he became separated from her during the journey and later learned that she had died.

In a statement, the male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he was just 15 when they left and 17 when he arrived in the UK after a perilous two-year journey across two continents. He described having daily flashbacks and nightmares and said he had thought about suicide. “I often feel like my life is not worth living… I want to block everything out,” he said.

In July 2023, he was seen by specialist psychologists at the Woodfield Trauma Service in West London who diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and recommended a course of therapy.

But despite this, in August 2023, age assessors ruled that he was four years older than he had claimed and the Home Office moved him to accommodation for adult asylum seekers, outside the service’s catchment area where he could not access its support.

In a letter explaining the move, officials claimed ‘suitable medical and support services do exist in other UK cities,’ although repeated failed attempts by his support worker to find alternative treatment proved this to not be the case.

Osbornes Law requests a judicial review

It was only after Osbornes Law, instructed to act on his behalf, applied to the High Court requesting a judicial review of the decision that the Home Office backed down and agreed to rehouse him in the West London area where he could access the Woodfield’s services – one year on from his diagnosis.

In documents submitted to the High Court, Edward Taylor, a public law specialist and partner at Osbornes Law, argued that the Home Office had breached its own policy which states that asylum seekers must receive, as a minimum, a ‘dignified standard of living… adequate for the health of claimants.’

The application also claimed that the Home Office had breached the Equality Act by failing to make reasonable adjustments for the claimant, whose diagnosis classed him as a disabled person, as well as breaching his right to a private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Edward Taylor`s comment

Edward said: “This is a very vulnerable young man, a victim of torture, who had already expressed suicidal thoughts and was keen to engage in any kind of therapy that might help him.

“Instead, he was dismissed and denied help, with those around him noting that he was becoming increasingly troubled, dejected, withdrawn, confused and frightened.

“It is inexplicable that the Home Office chose to ignore our repeated requests to reconsider and only backed down when faced with the prospect of its illogical and what I believe was unlawful decision-making being examined through the lens of a judicial review.

“Its own policy states that careful consideration should be given to the specific circumstances of each case, particularly where someone is classed as vulnerable, but clearly that has not been the case here.”

The male’s bid to stay in the UK, on the grounds of fear of persecution because of his political opinion if he returns to Ethiopia, has been refused but is pending appeal.

How can we help?

If you have been treated unfairly, or you need legal advice, you can contact us for specialist advice. To speak with one of our Housing and Social Care Team solicitors, contact us by:

  • Filling in our online enquiry form below; or
  • Calling us on 020 7485 8811

Share this article

  • “The housing team at Osbornes is the best in England.”

  • “The lawyers at Osbornes Law work with passion, putting in all their best.”

Get Expert Legal Advice Today Our experienced team offers clear, practical advice tailored to your needs Get Expert Guidance

Contact us today

Enquiry Assessment Form

  • Osbornes have a strong team with some truly excellent individuals.

    Legal 500 2025

  • They are tenacious, approachable, and extremely effective in representing the interests of their clients including in highly complex cases.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Osbornes Law are a truly excellent team. They cover a range of immigration, housing, and social care matters with a core commitment to representing vulnerable clients.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Osbornes has a particular strength in handling social housing challenges with a focus on homelessness and assisting children with disabilities.

    Legal 500 2025

  • William Ford has a forensic knowledge of housing law and is extremely intelligent, very thorough, and excellent with clients

    Legal 500 2025

  • Excellent communication at all stages of a claim and an emphasis on the needs of the client.

    Legal 500 2025

  • A thoroughly professional firm who have specialist knowledge of their areas of law.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Outstanding lawyers providing outstanding quality advice. They are one of the leaders in the field.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Alex McMahon is an extremely safe pair of hands for any housing issues.

    Legal 500 2025

  • William Ford has long been a leading individual in the housing law world.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Osbornes' social housing law team is very good and very well regarded within the field, with great solicitors across the full range of seniority.

    Legal 500 2025

  • The housing team at Osbornes is the best in England.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Alex McMahon is another notable team member who practices across housing law, public law, and community care.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Practice head William Ford is praised as ‘the best housing and social security lawyer in the sector.

    Legal 500 2025

  • Excellent work as usual Team Osbornes Law. Our service users have experienced some of the exceptional outcomes yourselves have achieved as outcomes for their housing and social issues.

    Keep up the excellent work.

    Options4change

  • William Ford is the best housing and public law solicitor of his generation.

    Legal 500 2024

  • Osbornes are a fantastic team who really stand out in the market in the fields of housing and social care.

    Legal 500 2024

  • Their mix of private client work and legal aid means that legally aided clients are (unusually) able to access a professional and top-flight law firm and get treated with real respect

    Legal 500 2024

  • The social housing team at Osbornes is exceptional. The solicitors are highly competent, professional, and committed.

    Legal 500 2024

  • A large, experienced, and capable team with in-depth knowledge covering the entirety of housing and homelessness law

    Legal 500 2024

  • The group has developed expertise in several specialist areas, such as advising EU nationals on their legal status and bringing challenges in asylum age assessment cases.

    Legal 500 2024

  • The team has demonstrable experience in advising clients on issues involving vulnerable clients who have claims against local authorities and housing associations.

    Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Osbornes are very approachable; in a time where many firms are unwilling to take on cases that do not look promising, they are prepared to look at difficult situations and find a way to assist their clients.

    Legal 500 2023

  • "Osbornes is one of the firms that I consistently recommend. Excellent service, and thorough and knowledgable lawyers."

    Legal 500 2023

  • ‘From the very first moment, I was aware and grateful to have been put in touch with Osbornes. The expertise, advice, leaving no stone unturned right from the first minute until the very last, I would most certainly recommend every single time.’

    Legal 500 2023

  • "The associates have a thorough knowledge of the area of law, communicate effectively and are incredibly easy to work with."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "They are a firm that likes a challenge and are prepared to do the groundwork to develop cases, even if it means much preparation without remuneration."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "It is clear the firm put the interests of the client first at all times."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "There’s a real sense of team ethic. It’s clear that internal communication and case recording are strong because if a solicitor handling a case is away the person covering is fully up to speed, has the necessary documents available to them and nothing falls through the cracks."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "If a short deadline comes up on an urgent case, solicitors are active in collaborating to ensure it can be met."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "The practice is ‘undoubtedly one of the best in the business‘ and has a strong reputation for complex disrepair cases and possession claims against local authorities and housing associations."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "The people I have worked with have been fantastic; they are truly passionate about the work they do and are exceptionally good at building good relationships."

    Chambers UK 2022

  • "This is an outstanding firm with great attention to detail. They work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. They have excellent client care skills and are extremely organised."

    Chambers UK 2022

  • Very strong team – incredibly knowledgable with good cross-over knowledge in mental capacity and community care. Thorough, dedicated and very professional. Clients will feel they are getting a gold standard service.

    Legal 500 2022

  • "Osbornes are an exceptional team. They have a wealth of housing experience and knowledge that is ‘top notch’. Clients are safe in their hands. As colleagues, they have a fantastic working relationship with each other and, feeding off of each other’s expert knowledge, their solicitors work to ensure that no stone is unturned."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "The team at Osbornes is inspired by its leader Will Ford, a truly first-rate, modern lawyer’s lawyer. The team have blossomed under his Will and are now packed with conscientious, dedicated and excellent lawyers who always give their clients 100%."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Alex McMahon – thorough and committed. Very easy to work with."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "William Ford - A good technical lawyer with a strong commitment to his clients"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "A committed and well-organised team with a good knowledge of the law and who work hard to secure a good outcome for their clients"

  • "Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Osbornes provide an incredibly high-quality service to their clients. The firm treats its legal aid clients with the same respect and commitment as if they were important private clients, which is rare and admirable. Their housing solicitors are also highly skilled and knowledgable."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "He goes the extra mile for his clients."

    Chambers UK 2021

  • "He is an excellent lawyer with exceptional attention to detail. He leaves no stone unturned in finding the right solution for his clients."

    Chambers UK 2021

  • "This is an outstanding firm with great attention to detail. They work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. They have excellent client care skills and are extremely organised."

    Chambers UK 2021

  • “Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers. The existence of family and property law teams at the firm, amongst others, means that they are able to offer a holistic and expert approach to their clients.”

    Legal 500 2021 - William Ford

  • William Ford is "highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems"

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, William Ford

  • William Ford "is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations."

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, William Ford

  • "They are at the forefront of legal developments in the field of social housing and community care. They are committed to using their multidisciplinary expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients."

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, Social Welfare

  • "This a great team - the quality of their work is amazing and they are very professional"

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, Social Welfare

  • "An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."

    Chambers UK

  • "William Ford frequently represents tenants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims... and is praised for his dynamic and hard-working approach."

    Chambers UK

  • "Osbornes team is noted for cross-practice expertise in areas such as housing and community care, which it brings to bear in disrepair, possession and homelessness cases involving vulnerable adults, individuals with language difficulties, the elderly and those with no recourse to public funds."

    The Legal 500

  • "The absolutely brilliant William Ford."

    The Legal 500

  • I was very happy with the excellent service from Osbornes in my disrepair case. They obtained a great result in my case and always pushed hard for my rights.

    Disrepair Client

  • The social housing team is friendly, approachable and genuinely care about its clients.

    Chambers UK

  • A broad knowledge places the social housing department one step ahead of others when it comes to community care knowledge.

    Chambers UK

  • The social housing department always go the extra mile.

    Chambers UK

  • The social housing team has a strong track record in representing tenants in claims against local authorities and housing associations, with particular expertise in complex disrepair and possession cases.

    Legal 500

  • The social housing department provides an excellent service and is able to react quickly in critical situations.

    Legal 500

  • Thanks for all your support during this very difficult time for my family.

    Housing and Social Care Client

  • William Ford receives effusive praise for his dedication and commitment to social housing. Interviewees highlight his technical understanding and background in housing law, and describe him as highly impressive."

    Chambers UK

  • The team understand vulnerable clients and young people, and on the front line they are prompt and efficient.

    Housing and Social Care client

  • Edward Taylor undertook my case from an almost unwinnable position. From our first meeting, Edward's enthusiasm was apparent. He was determined, diligent and most professional when dealing with my case, keeping me informed at every stage. I wholeheartedly thank Edward for his endeavours and would not hesitate in recommending him and Osbornes Solicitors to others.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • Osbornes Solicitors give us the confidence and strength to continue and input the belief that the case would turn in our favour … What was most important was the transparency in communication that Osbornes provided.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • Osbornes Solicitors are the pinnacle of professionalism and have gone beyond to assist with this case … I felt that I wasn't only dealing with just one dedicated solicitor but I had a good knowledgeable team behind me at all times.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • I have been extremely impressed with the level of patience and guidance provided in the case … I would like to thank you for your sympathetic approach and understanding towards my mother’s case and I would strongly recommend Osbornes Solicitors to anybody.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • 'First-class lawyer' William Ford is 'completely dedicated to making a positive difference', and is acting in cases challenging the 'bedroom tax'.

    Legal 500

  • Osbornes is commended for its 'rare level of commitment'.

    Legal 500

  • William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004

    Chambers UK

Related InsightsVIEW ALL

  1. High Court
    30.1.2025

    Osbornes Wins Judicial Review on Legal Aid Fees

    Osbornes successful in judicial review of Lord Chancellor over legal aid fees for Welfare Benefits On 28 January 2025 the High Court...

    Read more
  2. Trbunal decision
    7.10.2024

    Disabled Woman Wins £34,000 Benefits Case

    The Background to the Case In 2019 Ramona Cerbu was crossing the road when she was hit by a car and...

    Read more
  3. camden road
    5.4.2024

    DWP Exposed for £32,000 Underpayment of Disability Benefits

    Osbornes Law has assisted a vulnerable client to recover underpaid disability benefits totalling over £32,000. Our client, a disabled young man,...

    Read more
  4. 28.9.2023

    Gatekept homeless teenager accommodated by local housing authority

    Miss X, a 17 year old whose details are anonymised to protect her privacy, left her family home in March 2022 following...

    Read more
  5. 28.9.2023

    Homelessness case successfully settled for elderly disabled lady

    Ms X, whose details are anonymised to protect her privacy, had been living in a privately rented one-bedroom flat for...

    Read more
  6. 28.9.2023

    Disrepair Claim for Single Father

    Background to the Claim Osbornes Law represented a private tenant, a single father living with his young son in their...

    Read more
  7. 28.9.2023

    Client successfully rehoused following refusal by local authority

    Background to the case Osbornes Law represented a client who had been found intentionally homeless by his local authority. He...

    Read more
  8. 28.9.2023

    Client rehoused and £16,000 arrears cleared

    Osbornes Law were instructed to assist a client to suspend a warrant for possession. The client had fallen into arrears...

    Read more
  9. 26.9.2023

    Victory for Homeless Victim

    Mr X, whose details are anonymised to protect his privacy, fled his home country due to severe persecution from the...

    Read more
  10. 13.9.2023

    Successful homelessness judicial review case against Redbridge Council

    This matter involved a claim in the High Court for judicial review against Redbridge Council for failure to comply with...

    Read more
  11. 13.7.2023

    Family Unlawfully Evicted Receives Damages of £22,000

    Case Summary: Unlawful Eviction Claim Against Private Landlord This matter involved an unlawful eviction claim brought by our clients against...

    Read more
  12. Man is making audit of household expenses
    21.4.2023

    Success in Court of Appeal in child disability...

    The Court of Appeal has today handed judgment in the case of Harrington v Secretary of State for Work and...

    Read more
  13. Churchill Gardens neighborhood in Pimlico
    20.1.2023

    High Court finds Westminster Council’s Housing Scheme...

    Westminster City Council’s housing allocation scheme found to be unlawful The High Court has today handed down judgment finding...

    Read more
  14. East London aerial view
    14.11.2022

    Housing allocation case questions lawfulness of council’s...

    Until February 2022, the social housing allocation scheme for the London Borough of Newham allowed people who lived outside the borough...

    Read more
  15. water
    10.6.2022

    Housing Disrepair Claim for Leaking Pipe

    Our solicitors at Osbornes Law successfully assisted a client in resolving a severe disrepair claim involving water leaks, damp, and...

    Read more
  16. DATE OF BIRTH close up on a printed form
    12.4.2022

    Vulnerable child wrongly assessed to be an adult

    Upper Tribunal finds a vulnerable child to be 17 years old despite two flawed local authority age assessments which led to...

    Read more
  17. blue and orange flats
    15.8.2021

    Housing Disrepair Due To Persistent Dampness

    Serious disrepair issues Our solicitors at Osbornes Law have successfully settled a disrepair claim on behalf of a local authority...

    Read more
  18. london apartments
    22.12.2020

    Housing Disrepair Claim for Disabled Tenant

    Background to the Case Osbornes Law were instructed by a disabled tenant who had been decanted from her temporary accommodation...

    Read more
  19. wall in disrepair
    15.9.2020

    Housing Disrepair Against Local Authority

    Successful Claim of Disrepair Against Local Authority Osbornes Law, has successfully settled a significant housing disrepair claim on behalf of...

    Read more
  20. notting hill housing
    15.10.2019

    Housing Disrepair Claim in Notting Hill

    Successful settlement of Housing Disrepair Claim William Ford, a partner in Osbornes Law’s Housing and Social Care Department, has...

    Read more
  21. infestation of lady birds
    20.6.2019

    Housing Disrepair Claim for Vulnerable Family

    Our solicitors at Osbornes Law successfully assisted a client in resolving a challenging housing disrepair claim involving severe damp, leaks,...

    Read more
  22. buddleia
    5.10.2018

    Housing Disrepair Claim for Structural Damage

    Our solicitors  successfully represented a client in a disrepair claim against a landlord involving structural damage and  severe damp in...

    Read more

VIEW ALL