‘No-one to blame’ in schoolgirl hanging tragedy

THE Government is being urged to issue new guidance on the risk to children who self-harm following a serious case review into the death of a schoolgirl with a history of self-harm who was found hanged.
Jessica Blake. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyJessica Blake. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Jessica Blake. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Jessica Blake, 14, was found dead, sitting in a tree with a ligature around her neck, near Chester Avenue, Beverley, on August 26, 2012, a day after she went missing from her home in Nolloth Crescent.

An inquest recorded a narrative verdict but concluded she had died from hanging at her own hand.

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The review, carried out by East Riding Safeguarding Children Board, found that none of the organisations who had contact with the troubled teenager could have foreseen the “tragic outcome” to the case, but made a series of recommendations for improvements.

Bron Sanders, the independent chair of the safeguarding board, offered her sympathies to Jessica’s family and friends, and said: “This review concluded that no-one failed this young person and no-one who was involved in this case could have reasonably foreseen the tragic outcome.”

She confirmed all agencies had acted upon the recommendations, adding: “In recognition that self-harm and suicide in young people is a national issue, the review is also recommending the Government should acknowledge the risk of significant harm to this group of young people and issue explicit policy and guidance.

“This review has also highlighted the need for much better understanding and awareness, both locally and nationally, about why young people self-harm.”

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Two days before Jessica’s death, she had returned from a two-week summer camp with the Army Cadet Force (ACF), which she had joined in October 2010.

While at the camp, she had twice been interviewed by night duty staff because of reported concerns that she might self-harm, although the workers had no prior knowledge of this.

The staff included only a “sparse record” of these incidents in the duty log book, and contrary to ACF procedure, information about the incidents was not passed on to county headquarters, or to the ACF’s regional safeguarding officer, the report said.

Members of the pastoral care team at Jessica’s school first became aware that she was possibly self-harming in October 2010, although she denied it.

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Later that month, a teacher contacted the pastoral care team to say Jessica was having difficulty discussing the topic of relationships in a lesson, and had indicated she was upset about something at home but did not want to discuss it.

Social workers from East Riding Council became involved with Jessica and her family in October 2011, which involved assessments and support for the family until November 21, when a social worker called the pastoral care team to say the work had ended.

Jessica and her mother Alison saw her doctor on November 11, when the GP noted cuts to her forearms.

But after assurances from Jessica that things were getting better and she would not repeat it, the GP concluded she was not suicidal and there was no need for further action.

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After a further visit on November 23 because of another reported incident of self-harming, the doctor referred Jessica to child and adolescent mental health services. She had three appointments with this service in February 2012 but was then discharged.

On March 9, firefighters were called to the family home after Jessica set fire to the curtains in her bedroom while lighting pieces of paper in a bin.

A firefighter was so concerned about her demeanour and response to questions that he completed a child protection form the next day, which was sent to the safeguarding officer at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.

The officer did not contact the firefighter to discuss it and made a “discretionary decision” not to refer the concerns to social services.

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