A coroner has ruled that systemic failings by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council contributed to the death of foster carer Marcia Grant, who was killed when a 12-year-old boy in her care ran her over with her own car.
South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle delivered a narrative conclusion on Tuesday following an inquest into the death of Mrs Grant, 60, who suffered catastrophic injuries outside her Sheffield home on April 5, 2023. The experienced foster carer died while trying to prevent the child from stealing her vehicle.
The boy, referred to throughout proceedings as Child X, was sentenced to two years in youth custody in November 2023 after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Prosecutors had originally charged him with murder before accepting the lesser plea.
Catalogue of Failures
Ms Whittle found the council failed to maintain “appropriate systems and processes” when placing vulnerable children with foster families. The coroner’s conclusion specifically cited inadequate documentation, poor communication of risks, and insufficient risk assessments.
The circumstances which led to the fatal incident were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council,” the coroner stated. She identified failures including “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 inquest revealed Mrs Grant made her decision to accept Child X “without her full knowledge of Child X’s risks” due to the council’s systemic failures. The placement referral form was described as “deficient” and failed to include critical information about the boy’s violent history.
Warning Signs Ignored
Evidence presented to the court revealed Child X had a youth caution for knife possession and had claimed involvement in gang culture. The boy had reportedly told others he had stabbed people and expressed interest in joining gangs.
Social worker David Wade testified he opposed the placement when consulted. He told the inquest he “did not agree with the decision” due to concerns about the impact on another child already in the Grants’ care, referred to as Child Y.
The coroner found that had the family’s social worker been properly informed about Child X’s claims of stabbing people and gang involvement, he “would have categorically said that was not a match” for the placement. This crucial information was never communicated during a phone call about the emergency placement.
Emergency Placement Pressure
The tragedy unfolded after Rotherham council issued an urgent call for emergency foster placements on March 30, 2023. Despite being approved to care for only one child due to Child Y’s complex needs, the Grants volunteered to take Child X.
Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy had fostered children for seven years and were described as “highly regarded by the council’s fostering team.” The inquest heard they could temporarily take a second child for up to six days under emergency provisions.
An Independent Reviewing Officer visited the home on April 4 and recommended against extending the placement. The officer raised concerns after Child X told Mrs Grant he had stabbed someone, spat at neighbors, and claimed to have had sex with ten girls.
Fatal Day
On the morning of April 5, Child X was removed from the Grant home as the six-day emergency period had expired. However, he was returned later that day because social services could not secure an alternative placement.
Shortly after his return, the boy attempted to take a kitchen knife and steal the Grants’ car. Mrs Grant stood behind the vehicle trying to prevent him from driving away when she was fatally struck.
In a prepared statement to police, the boy said he had “never driven a car” before and “struggled” to operate it. He claimed he took the vehicle because he was “worried” about a family member and wanted to visit them.
Family’s Anguish
Speaking outside the court, Mrs Grant’s son Shaun and daughter Gemma delivered an emotional statement describing their “agonising journey to uncover the truth” behind their mother’s death.
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,” Shaun Grant said. “Our mum would still be with us here today if not for these failures.”
The family expressed particular frustration with council leadership’s refusal to acknowledge accountability. They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum’s death,” the statement continued.
Shaun Grant emphasized his mother “deserved better” and would not have accepted Child X into her home had she known his full history.
Coroner’s Action
Ms Whittle announced she would issue a prevention of future deaths report addressing multiple concerns. These include the council’s documentation failures, incomplete forms, and the national shortage of suitable foster placements.
The coroner specifically found that “had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family.” Her investigation revealed the placement decision was made with incomplete information that excluded critical risk factors.
During the placement, Mrs Grant had resorted to locking knives in another room after Child X’s disturbing admissions. The inquest heard she told the reviewing officer she was “tired” due to the intensive support the boy required.
Council Response
Rotherham Council’s strategic director for Children and Young People’s Services, Nicola Curley, offered “deepest and sincerest condolences” to the Grant family following the verdict.
“The pain and distress they have experienced is immeasurable, and we are truly sorry for their loss and everything they have been through,” Ms Curley stated. “Marcia was a much-loved and highly respected foster carer, and a central figure within Rotherham’s fostering community.”
The council had previously announced an independent partnership review would examine the circumstances surrounding the case. Mrs Grant’s family will have the opportunity to contribute to this review, according to council officials.
Wider Implications
Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh called for answers following what she described as a “devastating tragedy.” She noted the family felt “completely let down” by both the sentence length and the decisions leading to Mrs Grant’s death.
During the November 2023 sentencing, Mrs Justice May described a “desperate irony” in a dedicated foster carer being killed by a child she had welcomed into her home. The judge found no evidence the boy intended to harm Mrs Grant or had awareness of the risk his actions posed.
The case has highlighted broader challenges facing the foster care system, including placement shortages and inadequate information sharing between agencies responsible for vulnerable children’s welfare.
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