Social services cleared over torment that led mother to kill herself and autistic son

An independent inquiry into the death of a single mother who jumped 180ft (55 metres) from a disused railway viaduct with her 11-year-old autistic son has raised serious questions over the system of care for children with the condition.

The inquiry into the death of Helen Rogan, a former occupational therapist who plied herself and her son, Mark, with drugs before jumping from the Hounds Ghyll viaduct near Consett, Co Durham, concluded yesterday that no individual could have prevented the deaths.

But it found that the integration between social services agencies could have been better, and asked the county to establish a multi-agency task force to develop an integrated approach to the care of children with the "complex needs and challenging behaviours" that Ms Rogan had struggled with.

The National Autistic Society, whose work revolves around a difficult condition that may require support from educationalists, psychologists and social workers, agreed the shortcomings reflected those experienced by families across the UK.

The tragedy occurred in September last year, five years after Ms Rogan, 38, gave up her job to care full time for Mark, when her relationship with his father, a fellow hospital worker, broke down.

She was devoted to her son and had done everything she could to make his life richer. But an inquest into the deaths, in January, was told that she was finding it increasingly difficult to cope. "I suspect she could not face the prospect of Mark being taken away from her to be cared for in an institution," the coroner, Andrew Tweddle, said. Ms Rogan had slashed her wrists and those of her son with a razor blade in an unsuccessful attempt to end their lives at their house in Consett. Police believe that she then decided to make the short journey by car to the viaduct. The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide on Ms Rogan and unlawful killing on Mark.

Yesterday's report, commissioned by child protection officers in Co Durham, said that there had been no indication that Ms Rogan was about to act in such a way. "All the evidence would indicate that Ms Rogan was a competent and committed lone parent who strenuously sought to ensure that Mark achieved his social, emotional and educational potential," it said.

But it concluded: "In the longer term, all agencies should work together at a strategic level to develop an integrated service for children and young people."

The autism society said those diagnosed with the condition continued to "fall between gaps" in the statutory services and, as a result, were "excluded from the systems of essential help and support".

A spokesman said: "All families affected by autism require a better awareness of their specific needs [so] they may receive the right level of support. Families will also need help and information on autism immediately after diagnosis to combat feelings of isolation. Sadly, all too often this support is lacking."

The society's recent research has uncovered a widespread lack of understanding for autism – an umbrella term for a large number of similar developmental disorders which, depending on the severity, can cause difficulties in talking and relating to other people.

The society recently showed that two thirds of teachers in England and Wales think there are more autistic children in primary schools than there were five years ago – yet three quarters of the profession feel there is not enough training offered to teachers trying to deal with autistic needs. Across the UK, 500,000 people have the condition.

In the North-east, concerns were expressed last night that the new inquiry's findings may not have addressed specific autistic needs.

Lesley Henderson, who runs the Toby Henderson Trust for parents with autistic children after struggling to look after her seven-year-old son, said the "one-stop shop" the report had recommended would cater for all disabled children. "What we need is a specialist unit to help children with autism because they have very specific needs. It sounds like this new unit will spread itself too thinly," she said.

But, in a joint statement, Durham's social services and education directorates and the Derwentside Primary Care Trust accepted the findings and welcomed the call for a multi-agency approach.

Last night, a neighbour of Ms Rogan's gave testimony to the severity of her struggle. "That child, she kept a hold of him all the time – she kept him close to her chest," John Greener, 76, who lived a few doors down from her, said.

Ms Rogan had seemed happier a couple of months before her death, having moved Mark from a school where he was unsettled. But she regularly had a battle to control her son, Mr Greener said. "There were mood swings," Mr Greener said. "When he was difficult I think he must have been very difficult for her. The week of her death I saw her pulling that lad down to the car and, the look on her face, she was so drawn."