“Ruth’s death was a terrible tragedy. She deserved to grow up into a brilliant young woman, with the support and protection she needed from the professionals trusted with her care,” Dame Rachel said.
“As Children’s Commissioner, children living in mental health inpatient care have told me about being denied contact with family, with nothing around them resembling the comfort of home.
“They tell me that, had the right help been given earlier, their circumstances would have been so different.
“Children must be supported at home wherever possible, never placed long distances from family, with visits from their loved ones whenever they want. This right was wrongly denied to Ruth – it must never happen again.”