William Eichler 28 March 2024

Finley Boden: Council apologises for ‘missed opportunities’

Finley Boden: Council apologises for ‘missed opportunities’  image
Image: Suriyawut Suriya / Shutterstock.com.

Derbyshire County Council has apologised for the ‘missed opportunities’ to do more to safeguard 10-month-old Finley Boden who was murdered on Christmas Day in 2020.

Finley died after his parents, Shannon Marsden and Stephen Boden, inflicted 130 injuries on their son before he fatally collapsed at his family home in Derbyshire.

A family court placed Finley back in his parents’ care on November 17, 2020, despite social services raising concerns over their drug use and recommending a longer transition period.

A safeguarding review identified pandemic lockdown restrictions as a major factor helping the parents deceive the authorities, but also said there were ‘significant shortcomings’ in the care of Finley.

Steve Atkinson, the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership’s (DDSCP) independent chairman and scrutineer, said: ‘The report acknowledges there were significant mitigating circumstances in the period leading up to Finley's death – the Covid lockdowns, the very restricted access, unfamiliar working circumstances and remote meetings and parental dishonesty and disengaging.

‘However, these are not excuses. More could, and should, have been done to help keep Finley safe.’

Carol Cammiss, executive director for Derbyshire CC’s children's services, said: ‘Finley's death was a tragedy for everyone who knew him and everyone involved in his care.

‘Despite the significant Covid restrictions placed on our work at the time, we know there were missed opportunities for stronger practice, and we apologise for that.’

She added that the council did not wait for the conclusion of the review before it took ‘immediate action to review and strengthen our systems’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner