Overview

• Marilyn Whittle’s narrative conclusion recorded that Rotherham Council lacked adequate systems and processes, including incomplete documentation, poor communication of risks and deficient risk assessments.
• The inquest revealed that Child X’s youth caution for knife possession and comments about gang involvement were omitted from the initial placement referral, leaving foster carers unaware of critical risks.
• Child X, who ran over Mrs Grant with her own car outside her Sheffield home in April 2023, is serving a two-year youth custody sentence after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
• The forthcoming prevention of future deaths report will address placement procedures, information sharing and the council’s oversight to recommend systemic reforms.
• Rotherham Council has offered its condolences to the Grant family, acknowledged the coroner’s findings and said it will reflect on the inquest conclusions before determining next steps.