Carer 'not told' of teenager's suicidal feelings

An inquest into Jacob Shorter's death took place in June 2024

The foster carer of a teenager who took his own life was not informed of his history of "suicidal ideations", an inquest heard.

Jacob Shorter, 19, died when he was struck by a train on a railway line in Sheffield on 1 January after leaving his home in Calderdale.

Assistant coroner Marilyn Whittle issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Calderdale Council after the hearing concluded, due to concerns that adequate training had not been provided to care teams.

The local authority said it was currently unable to comment on the findings of the inquest at Sheffield Coroner's Court.

'Gone downhill'

The inquest was told that Mr Shorter had been in long-term foster care and was given support from a council team following his 18th birthday, when he was directed to pathways for care leavers.

He also received support from an independent visitor, an adult volunteer who mentors and befriends young people who are in care.

Ms Whittle's report stated that in spring 2023, concerns were raised about Mr Shorter's low mood and he was encouraged to see his GP.

Mr Shorter's foster carer also contacted Calderdale Council in September after he told her his feelings had "gone downhill" and she was not given any strategies to help him.

In early December, the independent visitor met with Mr Shorter, where he confided that he had felt suicidal in the past but did not currently feel that way.

Ms Whittle said this information was not passed on to his foster carer or to the pathways team.

On 31 December it was reported he was doing well, however, the following day, Mr Shorter took his own life.

The Prevention of Future Deaths report was published last week.

Ms Whittle highlighted the fact that whilst the independent visitor had been made aware of previous suicidal ideation, this information was not shared with others involved in Mr Shorter's care.

The report read: "Calderdale [Council] were unable to tell me of the training they receive or the escalation route for concerns or disclosures of this type," she wrote.

"There is a clear risk that if this type of information is not passed on and adequate training is not provided in terms of mental health then this could cause future deaths."

The council has until 13 August to respond to the report.

Julie Jenkins, its director of children and young people’s services, said: “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Jacob’s family and friends.

"We are considering the information from the coroner’s hearing, about the circumstances of Jacob’s very sad death, and are unable to comment further at this time.”

Railway access

The report also stated that investigations were undertaken into how Mr Shorter had accessed the railway track. Pedestrian and vehicle gates were locked and "in order" and there was security fencing in place, but it could not be established how he had entered the area.

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