What Should The Authorities Do With These Two?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4876282/Somalian-mother-son-chosen-live-bench.html

[jackthehat]

///'If people refuse to accept offers of help then that is their decision and their choice. We cannot force people to accept our help. ///

Why should the authorities do more than they already have?

[ummmm]

There has to be mental health issues here.

[albaqwerty]

Couldn't find anywhere in the link to say why they were evicted.
Maybe, just maybe, they're too scared to go back into social housing in case it happens again?

[ummmm]

I was thinking similar, Albs, maybe too much responsibility and pressure.

[Mamyalynne]

Given all the agencies involved I wonder if they have articulated why they are refusing help?

I doubt at this point any more can be done that hasn't been tried.

[albaqwerty]

my first thought was mental health issues too ummm, it's possible they play a factor and things are not going to improve for them unless they do accept help.

I'm gob-smacked at £1500 a month for a 2-bed flat, obscene amount of money.

[ummmm]

I suppose if they accept the flat they'll have to apply for various benefits. Then the son would have to sign on and be hounded into getting a job.

Why aren't other homeless people offered the same?

[NoMercy]

Send them back to Mogadishu and let them take the bench with them.

[anotheoldgit]

It is certainly a problem, but I can't see that it is a mental problem.

Perhaps the best cause of action would be to constantly move them on.

[Mamyalynne]

A few years ago they were both hospitalised, I don't know the cause/s - they even removed the bench but the Mother came back and slept curled up on the floor where the bench had been.

[EcclesCake]

Can't beat a touch of empathy on a grey Tuesday afternoon.

[ummmm]

Definitely mental health issues.

[Artglo]

NoMercy Spot On

[Sqad]

Mental issues? MENTAL ISSUES?
What evidence is there to suggest...mental issues?
Hallucinations? unusual behaviour? .....what ?
That would be the life of the unemployed and uneducated in Somalia...the streets... and in that environment they are comfortable and familiar?
I agree with NoM.......deport them.

[NoMercy]

Sqad - I hope you're not questioning the professional opinion of the Psychiatrist on this thread ;)

[Sqad]

LOL...I would never question her opinion, as , did you know, she has been a psychiatric nurse no less.

[NoMercy]

:-)

There aren't many healthcare professionals out there who can make diagnoses over the internet with no idea of the past medical history.

[anotheoldgit]

This from December 2014
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11673082.Homeless_Somali_family_s_bench_removal__in_their_interests_/

They have then moved to yet another Tooting High street bench.

Apparently the woman does not want temporary accommodation, she wants a council house.

[hereIam]

Yes, deport them.

[EcclesCake]

I am quite gobsmacked by some of these posts!