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Published: 1 April 2010
EXCLUSIVE by TOM FOOT

THE death of a severely disabled woman who felt “neglected” by Camden social services has sparked a massive backlash and calls for a full public inquiry.

Police confirmed a “criminal investigation” has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of former primary school teacher ­Jennyfer Spencer, 46, known locally as Alex. Her body was found by police at her fifth-floor council flat in Gospel Oak on March 1. 

Friends are concerned about money withdrawn from her bank account. 

Her direct care payments – cash instalments given to those in urgent need – were stopped in November 2008 when the council decided she was no longer “high risk”.

The Town Hall has strenuously rejected criticism surrounding the case and insists staff repeatedly tried to help Ms Spencer. But council chiefs have not ruled out further investigation into the case.

Ms Spencer’s story on our front page last week touched so many ­readers that collections have begun to ensure she has a full funeral and ­burial. Funeral arrangements cannot be made until the coroner releases the body. An inquest is expected but has not been opened yet. 

Human rights groups, meanwhile, pointed the finger of blame at the council’s “cruel” assessment system which they say is failing hundreds of vulnerable adults across Camden.

In a joint statement, they said: “We are calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances of Jennyfer Spencer’s death. The public has a right to know.”

Friends and family of Ms Spencer have told the New Journal there are concerns over missing care payments and that hundreds of pounds have been withdrawn from an account through mystery cheques cashed since her death. Police said they could not confirm further details at this time.

As we reported last week, Ms Spencer was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke in 2003 which left her blind in one eye and prone to regular blackouts and falls.

Camden Council paid her about £1,000 a month to employ her own carers between 2003 and 2008, when the payments were cancelled.

Ms Spencer had entered into talks with lawyers about a court appeal but the case fell apart after she was refused legal aid.

Ms Spencer’s aunt, Vicky Jarpaul, who lives in Islington, said: “A lot of money has gone missing. Someone in a wheelchair cannot spend that kind of money. Where has it gone? We think someone has taken advantage of a vulner­able adult. Police are investigating but I don’t feel they are taking it seriously.”

She added: “If you see her home, the way she was allowed to live. She needed help. It is a disgrace. The family is very upset. The council has a lot to answer for.”

In a letter to the New Journal, found in her flat after she died, Ms Spencer wrote “no animal should ever go through life as I did”, and urged the newspaper to publish her “situation in life” as her “last will and testament”. She never posted it.

The council has strenuously denied any wrong-doing, claiming Ms Spencer “had an unfortunate history of refusing to engage with social care services and the housing services”.

The council claims: 

• Ms Spencer’s care payments were stopped because she was not spending them properly.

• Agency carers were sent to her home but were repeatedly refused entry.

• Ms Spencer failed to turn up to meetings about her housing situation.

• It was later decided Ms Spencer could take care of herself.

But Neil Coyle, director of the national Disability Alliance charity, said: “The council’s suggestion that she failed to turn up to meetings may have been related to the cuts to her support that the council had imposed.”

Details of Ms Spencer’s case have been passed to social care watchdog, the Care Quality Commission.

Locally, campaign groups have raised serious concerns about the council’s Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) eligibility assessment policy.

A joint statement signed by the Campaign Against Care Charges, Londonwide women’s disability pressure group WinVisible, Black Women’s Rape Action Project and the black parents’ and teachers’ association the CarAf Centre, said: “Like Ms Spencer, many vulnerable people have had their services stopped or reduced under the cruel eligibility rules. Others were refused support or have been driven away by charges they can’t afford.

“As a result, there are many people who have contributed to the community many times over who now find themselves isolated and suffering routine neglect. We hold Camden councillors and officials responsible who have implemented these uncaring policies.”

Camden’s Conservative social services chief Martin Davies said yesterday (Wednesday) he would consider calls for a public inquiry but added: “It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual case.”

Cllr Davies said: “Fair Access to Care Services was introduced nationally to help councils understand what needs needed to be met. 

“Yes, we undertake reviews. We are supporting people to become independent. Sometimes people’s situations improve after six months of the care they have received. Their circumstances can change.”

He added: “I am happy to look at this request [for a public inquiry] and consider whether there are any grounds.”

Dozens of friends and well-wishers across Camden have contacted the New Journal pledging donations and offering to help with Ms Spencer’s burial.

Marks & Spencer in Camden Town has launched a poster campaign and bucket collection to help pay for Ms Spencer’s funeral and burial.

Customer assistant Bianca Lee said: “Staff were in tears on the shop floor when we read about Alex in the New Journal. 

“She was more than a customer – she was a friend to me. She would come in every day and make sure we were all right. She liked prawn crackers and biscuits.”

A vigil will be held outside Ms Spencer’s home at the junction of Mansfield Road and Gordon House Road from 1pm on Saturday.