A friend of Gloria Foster, who died after being left alone for nine days, has said she has no animosity towards the social worker who failed to arrange carers for her.

Last week, Woking Coroners' Court heard Elizabeth Egan admit that she had "failed" to speak to Mrs Foster to ensure alternative carers were organised for her after an immigration raid closed Sutton-based Care1st24 in January last year.

Mrs Egan said she had been suffering from depression and burn-out and could not cope with her workload.

Speaking after the verdict into Mrs Foster's death this afternoon - which found that a "gross failure" by social services had contributed to Mrs Foster's death - Ann Penston, who had an enduring power of attorney for her friend's financial matters, said: "When I listened to the social worker giving her evidence in jaw-dropping honesty, that was very difficult.

"It may sound strange but she didn't hide at all and obviously she's lost her career and social workers don't go into it to earn loads of money.

"They are caring people and it's made a huge impression on her life and I do feel sad about her situation and she has to live with that mistake.

"I don't have any animosity towards her. I wish her well."

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But she called on Surrey County Council (SCC) to learn from this tragedy and accept responsibility for what went wrong.

Ms Penston said: "I think the coroner was very clear in his summary that SCC, through their neglect, had very greatly contributed to her death.

"I can't actually explain how I feel at the moment. It has been 21 months.

"Going into court, you do actually see the people involved rather than having this body that you have so much anger about.

"When you see the people and hear their statements you can understand how the situation came about. 

"That almost makes it harder to deal with."

When asked whether she thinks Surrey County Council will change their practices, she said: "I just hope so.

"One feels it is the lower group that take the blame.

"They have come out with new protocols and I acknowledge that but it should also be acknowledged that there were quite a few problems up there [at the top of the structure].

"They should have been listening and should listen to avoid any future incidents."

Coroner Richard Travers commended Ms Penston at the end of today's hearing, saying she had "taken her responsibility very seriously".

He acknowledged that, as a result of its Serious Case Review into Mrs Foster's death, SCC had taken a number of important steps to ensure there could be no repetition of the same incident again.

These included: the preparation of a new protocol of the actions required following a closure of a company providing care; and emphasising to members of staff that there is no difference between those receiving care funded by the council and self-funders.

But, he said he would be writing to the chief executive of SCC with regards to: the need to have a protocol for additional support for staff when such a closure of a care agency arises; the need for additional, specific training to reinforce to staff not to take a different attitude to self-funders; the need for additional, specific training so there is a clear understanding of the team leader of support and delegation of tasks; and when there is such a closure of a care agency, for there to be clear lines of communication with that provider to ensure the bodies involved are immediately informed of the current situation.

Mr Travers also said he will be writing to the chairman of the Care Quality Commission about ensuring clear lines of communication.

SCC is expected to issue a statement on its response to the coroner's ruling later today.