This report contains details some readers may find distressing, and a reference to self-harm.

The grieving father of a boy who died in state care has told a coroner that he and the 10-year-old's mother made the wrong choices before their son died.

The Whadjuk Noongar boy, who can only be identified as SJ, was found unresponsive entangled in a blind cord and died at his carer's home in April last year.

An inquest is exploring whether SJ's death was accidental or caused by self-harm, and the quality of care provided by the Western Australian Department of Communities.

The Perth coroner's court has heard SJ was removed from his parents' care in 2020 amid allegations of drug abuse and neglect of their children, including a lack of food.

Wiping tears from his eyes in the witness box, SJ's father, who also cannot be identified, said he and the boy's mother "had made choices and engaged in actions that were wrong".

"But that doesn't take away our love for our children," he said on Tuesday as the two-day hearing wrapped up.

"We have been and will always be loving, caring parents."

SJ's parents have previously said they wanted to find out the truth about what happened to their son and any department failures that may have contributed to his death.

Coroner Robyn Hartley has heard SJ, who displayed symptoms of complex developmental trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, was living with a relative approved by the department when he died.

The placement was going well and SJ's mental state was improving, along with his attendance at school, where he scored well above average in a NAPLAN exam.

He also never expressed suicidal thoughts or demonstrated behaviour that would indicate he intended to self-harm, the court heard.

SJ's carer found him in the living room on the couch. He was limp and his legs were discoloured.

A post-mortem found he had died from ligature compression of the neck.

Rochelle Binks, a Department of Communities executive director, said her team had provided SJ with good support, although communication with some service providers treating him could have been better.

She also said blind cord safety regulations for carers' homes had been updated since SJ's death.

Ms Hartley told the court she was unlikely to make any adverse findings against any individuals, and she would deliver her findings at a date to be fixed.

SJ's family issued a statement via the National Justice Project on behalf of his parents late on Tuesday, as the final day of the inquest closed.

"I remember the day, 8:05am on the 26th July 2013. Our son and a brother to his new siblings," it began.

"If we could share our years of pictures and videos from the day he arrived to the last time we enjoyed his presence with us, you would see all his infectious smiles, hear his laughter and feel his character.

"We have been and will always be loving, caring parents. We made choices and engaged in actions that were wrong but that doesn't take away our love for our children.

"From day one, our son was and always be, his mum's prince, his older brother's buddy, our oldest daughter always called him her best friend. K and T admired their little brother. And he was little man to me.

"SJ was a Whadjuk-Noongar boy, that was evident from the moment you seen his beautiful big brown eyes, his lovely complexion.

"He loved his skittles, by the bag full. He had a love for all animals and an interest in soccer. And most of all the love for his little sister H. Our son was so protective of his little sister.

"He is missed every sunrise and sunset. If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever."

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