Prime Minister backs suicide prevention training for social workers

Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella raised the case during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 21 October, asking the Prime Minister to meet her and Matilda’s family to discuss mandatory suicide prevention training for local authorities and other measures to prevent similar tragedies.

Perteghella told the Commons that Matilda had been a “wonderful and devoted mum” and a full-time carer for her disabled seven-year-old child. She said Matilda had received almost no support despite providing round-the-clock care, leaving her physically and emotionally exhausted.

She told MPs that social workers visited Matilda in October 2025 and that she died by suicide 15 minutes after they left. She was 36.

The Prime Minister said he agreed with the proposal for mandatory suicide prevention training and would arrange for a minister to meet Perteghella to discuss it.

“I will ensure that a Minister meets the hon. Lady to discuss that proposal, because I find myself in agreement with it,” he said.

He also acknowledged the pressures facing unpaid and family carers, saying they “often sink under their responsibilities and find it very, very difficult”. He described Matilda’s death as a “devastating situation”.

The case has prompted concerns about the suicide prevention training available to frontline children’s social care staff.

In April, an assistant coroner issued a report to prevent future deaths following an inquest into Matilda’s death, raising concerns that suicide prevention training was not mandatory for frontline practitioners and staff within Warwickshire Children’s Services.

Evidence heard at the inquest found that the social worker and support worker who visited Matilda had not received suicide prevention training, although it was available within the organisation.

The coroner said Matilda had not been asked directly about suicidal thoughts during the visit, despite these being mentioned in the referral information. She had also not been signposted to crisis support services.

The report warned that the absence of mandatory training could lead to inconsistent practice when practitioners need to explore, record or respond to possible self-harm or suicidal thoughts. It called for action to reduce the risk of future deaths.

Research from the University of Birmingham has also highlighted the risks faced by parents caring for disabled children or children with long-term illnesses.

A UK study involving 750 parent carers found that 41% had thought about killing themselves while caring for their child, 8% had made a plan to do so and 2.5% had attempted suicide.

More than half of those who had experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours had never told anyone, with fear, judgement and stigma among the barriers to disclosure.

The researchers have called for a more joined-up approach involving health, social care and education professionals, including carer-specific suicide prevention training. Their recommendations also include routine assessment of suicidal thoughts in carers’ assessments and primary care, as well as better access to respite care and urgent psychological support for parent carers at risk.

The study warned that mental health treatment alone would not be enough to reduce suicide risk, highlighting the need for families to receive timely, appropriate and affordable support.