Latest news with #MarciaGrant
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Rotherham Council offers formal apology to family of foster carer Marcia Grant
A council has made a formal apology to the family of a "much-loved" foster carer who died after being run over by a child in her Grant, 60, died from catastrophic chest injuries after trying to stop the 12-year-old from stealing the car from outside her home in Greenhill, Sheffield, in April an inquest, assistant coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative verdict in which she cited shortcomings with Rotherham Council's handling of the child's placement with Mrs a full council meeting, leader Chris Read gave the council's "deepest and sincerest condolences" to her family, adding: "We are truly sorry for their loss." Read said Mrs Grant was "a much-loved and highly respected foster carer, a central figure within Rotherham's foster community"."She was caring and compassionate, providing a home and support to some of our borough's most vulnerable children," he said. 'Heartbreak' At the inquest earlier this month, shortcomings were found around how the council handled the child's emergency placement and how this contributed to the circumstances leading to Mrs Grant's death. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Read acknowledged the coroner's findings and said the council had begun making changes before the inquest also promised further action would follow."The inquest found grounds to believe the council had played a contributing role in Marcia's death," Read said."I am and we are deeply sorry for any failing on the council's part."There is nothing more important than the safety of our children".The coroner said had proper processes been followed, the boy would not have been placed with the Grant family, who had been fostering for seven years and were highly regarded by the council's fostering said Rotherham Council was already improving its record keeping and risk assessments, and was awaiting a formal Prevention of Future Deaths said the council's director of children's services had also been asked for a "comprehensive action plan" for council members to paid tribute to the wider social care workforce, acknowledging the "complexity and difficulty" of their decisions and stressing the huge responsibility and "heartbreak" when things go said: "We honour [Marcia's] memory today in service of all our foster carers who do so much to make the world a better place." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
Gran run over & killed by boy, 12, days after he was placed with her when social workers ‘failed to reveal gang links'
A GRAN who took in a 12-year-old foster child just days before he ran her over with her own car wasn't told about his gang links by social workers. Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she tried to stop the boy, then 12, from taking her car. 3 3 She suffered catastrophic injuries when he ran over her outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on April 5 2023. An inquest has found that failings by a local council contributed to the circumstances around her death. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Marcia's death by dangerous driving, when a murder charge was dropped. But Marcia's family slammed the soft sentence, saying they feel "completely let down". He then chillingly added: "Looks like I got my first kill. 'It was an accident, I swear.' On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Marcia's death. Ms Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture. But this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, making it "deficient". She said Marcia's decision that she could provide Child X with a short term placement "was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks". This was because of "the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used". The coroner said the Grants' social worker, who was asked for his opinion on whether they were a suitable match for Child X, was not told about the boy claiming to have stabbed people or been involved in gangs, and "would have categorically said that was not a match" if he had been. Ms Whittle found that "had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family". The inquest heard that Marcia and her husband Delroy were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, largely because of the complexities Child Y presented to them. The inquest heard that on April 4, Marcia was visited by the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with her. The IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend the placement was extended as concerns were raised that Marcia was keeping knives locked in another room, and the boy had told her he had stabbed someone, spat at the neighbour and had sex with 10 girls. Child X was removed from her care on April 5, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services were not able to find an alternative placement. Shortly after he was returned to the Grants' home, he attempted to steal their car. Mrs Whittle said the grandmother was killed as she stood behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop him driving it away. The coroner said the circumstances which led to the fatal incident "were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council". She listed these as a failure to have "appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care". Ms Whittle said she would be writing a "prevention of future deaths" report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete forms; and a shortage of placements. She said this was a "national issue" and not just to be directed at Rotherham. After the inquest, Marcia's son Shaun Grant said his mother "deserved better" and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. Reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant, he said: "We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant. "What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care. "It remains a source of deep sorrow and frustration that senior leadership within the council has consistently refused to acknowledge their own accountability despite being fully aware of the risk history of Child X and our mum's own needs as a foster carer. "They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum's death." He went on to say: "We wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death. "However, whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed. "If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today. "Our mum was dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, she did so with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of duty. "Yet when it mattered the most, the same system she gave so much for, did not protect her in return." Rotherham Council's strategic director for Children and Young People's Services, Nicola Curley, said: "We want to begin by offering our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of Marcia Grant. "The pain and distress they have experienced is immeasurable, and we are truly sorry for their loss and everything they have been through. "Marcia was a much-loved and highly respected foster carer, and a central figure within Rotherham's fostering community. Her family have spoken of her devotion as a wife and mother - qualities that were equally evident in the care and compassion she gave to some of our borough's most vulnerable children. "She made a lasting difference to the lives of many, and she remains deeply valued and greatly missed by all who knew her. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to her friends, and the fostering community who held her in such high regard. "We recognise the seriousness of the coroner's findings, and we will now take time to reflect fully on the outcome of the inquest and consider all appropriate next steps." 3
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- The Guardian
Council failings a factor in death of foster carer run over by child, inquest finds
Failings by a local council contributed to the death of a woman who was killed when a 12-year-old boy she was fostering ran her over with her own car, an inquest has found. Marcia Grant, 60, suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield in April 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was jailed for two years in November 2023. He pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving, after a murder charge was dropped. On Tuesday, the South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Grant's death. She said the circumstances that led to the fatal incident 'were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham metropolitan borough council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care'. The coroner said she would be writing a prevention of future deaths report, addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation, and failure to complete forms as well as a shortage of placements, although she said this was a national issue and not limited to Rotherham. The inquest heard Grant had been fostering for seven years, and she and her husband, Delroy, were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when the council put out a call for an emergency placement for Child X. The inquest heard the couple volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, because of Child Y's complexities. The inquest heard that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture, but this information was not included on the 'deficient' initial placement referral form, and that Grant's decision to take him 'was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks'. After the inquest, Grant's son Shaun Grant said his mother deserved better and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. He said the family 'wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death'. 'We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant,' he said, reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant. 'What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care.' 'Whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed,' he added. 'If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today.'
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Labour-run council failings contributed to the death of foster mother killed by 12-year-old six days after being placed in her home, coroner rules
Failings by a Labour-run council contributed to the death of a foster mother who was killed when a 12-year-old boy she was caring for. Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on April 5 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Mrs Grant's death by dangerous driving when he ran over her with her own car. Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy Grant had tried to stop the boy taking her car outside their home before he then reversed 'aggressively' over her at speed 'like a dart' as she stood at the end of her driveway. A wheel of the Honda Civic ended up on top of Mrs Grant who suffered fatal crush injuries to her chest and died at the scene. The boy later said to police: 'Is she dead?' and 'looks like I got my first kill?' before insisting: 'It was an accident, I swear.' When he was arrested after trying to run away from police, the balaclava-clad youngster told a policewoman: 'I'm going to f***ing kill your family, you b****, and I don't give a f***.' On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Mrs Grant's death, and said that the tragedy was caused in part by failings of the Labour-run council of Rotherham. She said the circumstances which led to the fatal incident 'were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care'. Ms Whittle said she would be writing a 'prevention of future deaths' report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete forms; and a shortage of placements, although she said this was a 'national issue' and not just to be directed at Rotherham. The inquest heard Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, largely because of the complexities Child Y presented to them. Ms Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture, but this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, making it 'deficient'. She said Mrs Grant's decision that she could provide Child X with a short term placement 'was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks' because of 'the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used'. The coroner said the Grants' social worker who was asked for his opinion on whether they were a suitable match for Child X, was not told about the boy claiming to have stabbed people or been involved in gangs, and 'would have categorically said that was not a match' if he had been. Ms Whittle found that 'had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family'. Social worker David Wade, who supported the Grants in their fostering, told the inquest earlier that he was consulted about the initial emergency placement of Child X and said he did not agree with the decision because of the potential impact on Child Y, who was clearly being helped by the family. But Mr Wade said the decision was made by a more senior manager. The social worker told the court that he did not know the details of Child X's self-reported history of gang-related activity and possession of knives. He told the coroner that, if he did, he would have been more robust in his insistence that this was not a suitable placement. Mr Wade said he had absolutely no concerns over Mr and Mrs Grant's ability to care for Child X and stressed that his prime concerns were about the impact on Child Y. He said: 'They just wanted to help all the time. They were just incredibly open to helping children.' Matthew Boud, who worked at the time as head of service for Rotherham Council's children in care service, signed off on the placement of Child X with the Grants. He explained how c ouncil faced difficult, 'finely balanced' decisions over emergency placements and, if the Grants had not agreed to take the boy, he could have ended up in an unsuitable setting, possibly including a hotel or being transported miles from Rotherham. He said: 'We were desperately trying to provide some stability for Child X in that context.' Mr Boud said he thought it was an 'appropriate decision' in the circumstances. The inquest heard on April 4, Mrs Grant received a visit from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with her. The IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend the placement was extended as concerns were raised that Mrs Grant was keeping knives locked in another room, and the boy had told her he had stabbed someone, spat at the neighbour and had sex with 10 girls. Child X was removed from Mrs Grant's care on April 5, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services were not able to find an alternative placement. Shortly after he was returned to the Grants' home, he attempted to steal their car. Mrs Whittle said Mrs Grant was killed as she stood behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop him driving it away. After the inquest, Mrs Grant's son Shaun Grant said his mother 'deserved better' and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. Reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant, he said: 'We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant. 'What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care. 'It remains a source of deep sorrow and frustration that senior leadership within the council has consistently refused to acknowledge their own accountability despite being fully aware of the risk history of Child X and our mum's own needs as a foster carer. 'They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum's death.' He went on to say: 'We wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death. 'However, whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed. 'If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today. 'Our mum was dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, she did so with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of duty. 'Yet when it mattered the most, the same system she gave so much for, did not protect her in return.'
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
Council failings 'contributed' to Sheffield foster carer's death
The circumstances that led to a grandmother's death when she was hit by a car driven by a 12-year-old boy she was fostering were "contributed to by the failings" of a council, a coroner has Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion following an inquest into the death of Marcia Grant, 60, who suffered fatal chest foster carer died as she tried to stop the child stealing her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on 5 April boy, known as Child X, was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2023 after admitting causing Mrs Grant's death by dangerous driving after a murder charge was dropped. Mrs Grant's son Shaun his mother "deserved better" in a statement following the inquest, adding she would not have taken Child X on a care placement if she had known about his full history from Rotherham a joint statement with his sister Gemma Grant, he said: "We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum."What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care."He went on to say they welcomed the coroner's findings that "our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death".Ms Whittle said in her conclusion that the circumstances which led to Mrs Grant's death "were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children".She added the failings were "including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care".She added she would be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete added this was a "national issue" and not just to be directed at inquest heard Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy had been fostering for seven years and were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They had been looking after another child, referred to as Child Y, when they answered a call asking all of Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on 30 March Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, which made it "deficient".She said Mrs Grant did not have "full knowledge of Child X's risks" because of "the failings of Rotherham Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used". The coroner went on to add that "had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family".On 4 April, the inquest heard that Mrs Grant received a visit from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend that the placement be extended as there were concerns that Mrs Grant was having to keep knives locked in another X was removed from Mrs Grant's care on 5 April, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services could not find an alternative soon after he went back to the Grants' home, he tried to steal their car and Mrs Grant was killed as she stood behind the vehicle trying to stop him driving it BBC has contacted Rotherham Council for comment. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
