The passing of Marcia Grant is a deep loss to the fostering community and to our members at The Fostering Network. Marcia, described as “much-loved foster carer” should not have been placed in the situation that she faced on 5 April 2023.
As a sector we must take the critical learning from this inquest and incorporate it into policy and practice changes – which will not only improve outcomes for children and young people, but also prevent anything like this happening again.
The pressures facing children's social care can only be addressed with significant investment and long term, sustainable change.
These changes should include addressing systemic issues, such as increasing social worker capacity and retention, renewed focus on quality assurance, and improved matching, risk assessment and information sharing. This will go some way to addressing the gaps in practice highlighted in this case.
As an organisation we have long called for:
- Improved matching between foster carers, children and young people.
- Improved and priority access to mental health assessment and services for children in foster care.
- Improved information sharing between agencies to safeguard young people and foster carers.
We will continue to work with the governments across the UK to translate these recommendations into practice to improve the fostering sector.
On behalf of our members, board of trustees and staff at The Fostering Network we offer our deepest sympathy to the family of Marcia and all those who knew and cared for her.
Read the full inquest report here: Inquest concludes that Council failings contributed to the death of foster carer Marcia Grant | Doughty Street Chambers
Listen to the coverage on Woman's Hour on Wednesday, 7 July here: BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Christine McGuiness, Dianaworld, Marcia Grant inquest, Weight loss ads
