An investigation into the suicide of a 10-year-old cousin of Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall has found that professionals ignored clear warnings that he might kill himself.

The review says Harry had been exposed to violence and suffered bullying and emotional abuse.


Harry Hucknall was found hanged in his bedroom in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, in 2010.
An inquest last year recorded a verdict of suicide.

Now the Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board has published a serious case review into the death.

It reveals that Harry was twice discovered with a plastic bag over his head saying he "wanted to die".

This was not taken seriously because he was so young. He was prescribed Prozac to combat depression but never given a risk assessment for suicide.

The review says: "There was evidence of poor practice throughout, which included single-agency failings and generally poor inter-agency communication and collaborative working.
"There was no evidence of the child's voice being heard or his wishes and feelings being taken into account by professionals working with him and his family.

"All the professionals involved had safeguarding training and were aware of their responsibilities but still they did not act."
The review says Harry died a "sad, lonely and extremely anxious child" who felt "unloved and unwanted".

He had been exposed to violence and suffered bullying and emotional abuse.

His parents were separated and, his mother alleged, his father neglected him.

But when professionals discussed Harry with her, it was about how his behaviour created problems rather than how his needs could be met.

The review makes 71 recommendations to improve procedures.

These affect Cumbria County Council, NHS Cumbria, Cumbria police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Morecambe Bay hospitals, the NSPCC and Cumbria Health on Call.
The most damning criticism, however, is of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

The review says: "It was the view of the panel that no single agency was wholly responsible for failing to protect the child from the chronic emotional abuse and neglect that he suffered.

"It felt, however, that the failure of CAMHS to identify the child as a likely high risk of suicide....was a fundamental omission, which impacted significantly on the responses of other agencies."

It emerged at the inquest that Harry had lived in 14 different homes and attended four schools.

The review picks up on concerns expressed by coroner Ian Smith about the effects of administering powerful medication to young children.

Harry was taking Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as Prozac.

Presenting the review's findings, Allan Buckley, chairman of the safeguarding board, said: "Suicides are extremely unusual in children of this age.

"This should not detract from the important message that we should always take threats of suicide seriously.

"Children must always be at the centre of what we are doing and be asked directly about their care and feelings.

"Multiple medications to children should be carefully prescribed and monitored."

He added that many of the review's recommendations have been implemented and the remainder were "well on their way" to completion.