Care of hanged teen “insufficient”

A SERIOUS case review into the death of a troubled teenager has revealed serious failings amongst public protection agencies.

Rebecca Watkins, 16, from Braintree, was found hanging in a care home in Brandon, Suffolk in June 2009.

She suffered from cerebal palsy and had mental health problems. She was negelected by her mother and placed in and out of care throughout her childhood.

A Serious Case Review carried out by Essex County Council shows no medical records were sent to Suffolk authorities when she was moved to the carehome despite repeated attepts at taking her own life in the past.

It has concluded that “a lack of co-ordination between agencies and professionals led to drift, delay and confusion in identifying and meeting her needs.”

It says that there was never a formal comprehensive multi-agency assessment of Miss Watkins’ needs and “opportunities were missed in her care which may have made a difference in her life.”