A “FUNDAMENTAL failure” by social services may have led to the death of Gravesend schoolboy Edward Barry, according to a new report.

Fourteen-year-old Edward, who was known as Ed, was found dead at a flat in Parrock Street on November 20, 2009, with fatal levels of methadone and traces of diazepam in his body.

Jurors recorded a verdict of misadventure following a two-and-a-half-week inquest at Gravesend Town Hall in March.

The 48-page report, which was published by the Kent Safeguarding Children Board on Friday, criticises the way Kent County Council’s (KCC) Children’s Social Services (CSS) department handled Ed in the months before his death.

Part of the report reads: “Ed’s voice was not effectively heard.

“Many opportunities to assess this young person’s needs were missed and his immediate need for protection was repeatedly left unaddressed.

“Some professionals, notably the school, child adolescent mental health services and the worker from the adolescent resource centre provided him with the opportunity to be heard and his school was vigorous in advocating for him.

“However, when they encountered resistance from CSS they proved ineffective in challenging this.”

During the inquest, it was heard how Ed’s parents Patrick and Justine first became concerned for their son when he became involved with a new group of friends at Gravesend Grammar School.

A week before his death, Mr Barry had contacted CSS saying his son was now injecting Codeine distilled from Co-Codamol tablets, using a friend’s prescribed Methadone as well as taking amphetamine and marijuana.

The report concluded: “Insufficient attention was given to the risks inherent in the behaviour he was engaged in, particularly his drug taking, sexual conduct, criminality and the regularity with which he was a missing person.

“CSS should have been the lead agency in this case at least from June onwards when it was undeniable Ed was suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

“There was a fundamental failure to grasp the responsibilities of CSS.

“The thresholds for intervention were far too high. They were not based upon the child’s welfare or the significant harm that Ed was known to be suffering.”

The report recommended one agreed route should be established for all referrals to CSS that can be understood by all staff.