Reviews into the deaths of children in care criticise how some cases were allowed to “drift” before meaningful action was taken, and the lack of coordination between social workers and other professionals such as Public Health Nurses and mental health services.

Five reports into the deaths of children known to the care services have found shortcomings in how the cases were dealt with.

Dermot, who took his own life in 2011, was friendly and chatty but found it difficult to talk about his emotions.