A severely disabled man in East London was left in unsuitable accommodation where he had to drag himself across the floor to use the toilet and shower, and access the only running water in his home. The man, known only as CPH, is paralysed from the waist down, has only one functional arm, and lives with other serious physical and mental health conditions. He had previously been sleeping on the streets.
The London Borough of Redbridge was responsible for his care from at least 2020, and from August 2023, the accommodation provided had no wheelchair-accessible toilet, kitchen, or laundry facilities. As a result, he was forced to drag himself across the floor to reach the toilet and shower. He also struggled to use the shared, unadapted kitchen and could not do his own laundry.
Overnight care restrictions led to rough sleeping
When CPH later began receiving essential care from his partner, she was initially prevented from being with him outside visiting hours of 10am to 8pm. Faced with being left without essential care overnight, he began sleeping rough with his partner rather than staying alone in the accommodation.
Following a judicial review in November 2024, Redbridge agreed to arrange an occupational therapy assessment and to carry out the recommended works. However, the assessment proposed he stop using the bathroom altogether and instead use a “wheeled shower commode” to defecate and wash in his bedroom/kitchen area, assisted by his wife.
Second judicial review and settlement
CPH then brought a second urgent judicial review in July 2025, alleging breaches of the Care Act 2014, Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the public sector equality duty, and disability discrimination. That case was settled after Redbridge agreed to offer alternative accommodation and accepted that only fully adapted, wheelchair-accessible accommodation was suitable for CPH.
He finally moved into alternative accommodation with an adapted wet room in July last year. He was awarded a £20,000 settlement from the London Borough of Redbridge.
