A TEENAGER found hanged at a care home had been "failed time and again" by social services, an inquest heard.
Rebecca Watkins, 16, was found hanged at the Evergreen Children's Home in Brandon, Suffolk in July 2009, 50 miles away from her family home in Braintree.
The former Notley High pupil had a long history of self-harm and spent time in foster care and at Longview Adolescent Psychiatric Unit in Colchester.
A serious case review was launched in July 2009 after it was referred to the Essex Safeguarding Children Board.
Social services were criticised at the time and the inquest, held in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, heard how the Brandon home was not equipped to help Rebecca.
Essex County Council said it "regrets its failure to identify opportunities in the care of Rebecca... which may have made a difference in her life".
Darren Watkins, Rebecca's father, only learned of her death in 2009 via a newspaper article.
The inquest also heard all nine recommendations of a serious case review have since been implemented.
Coroner Peter Dean recorded a verdict of suicide on Tuesday (April 29).
