Key facts
- Parents of children abused by nursery worker Vincent Chan are demanding answers regarding a 2021 complaint.
- Chan was cleared to return to work at Bright Horizons nursery after concerns were raised by a parent.
- A year after being cleared, Chan filmed himself abusing three-year-old girls in his care.
- Families are calling for an independent examination of how the 2021 complaint was handled.
- A safeguarding review into the incident has been delayed until 2027.
- Families are urging Camden council to consider prosecuting Bright Horizons under health and safety legislation.
Parents of children abused by nursery worker Vincent Chan have expressed outrage over revelations that he was cleared to return to work despite significant concerns being raised by a parent in 2021. Chan was employed by the nursery chain Bright Horizons, and the complaint was known to Camden council.
After an investigation by Bright Horizons, Chan was permitted to continue working at the nursery on Finchley Road in north-west London. The following year, in 2022, Chan was arrested for filming himself abusing three-year-old girls under his care. Images of one victim were found on his personal devices.
One mother stated her anger was "barely put into words," highlighting the unbearable thought that Chan could have been stopped before he had extensive access to her daughter. She expressed fury at Bright Horizons for failing to protect the children.
The families, represented by law firm Leigh Day, are demanding a "full and independent account" of the events, including who knew what and when, and the reasons behind the decisions made. They have called for an immediate "independent examination" of how the 2021 complaint was handled.
A safeguarding review, led by an independent reviewer appointed by Camden council, has been repeatedly delayed, with families only recently learning it is now scheduled for 2027. The parents stated that "expressions of regret are meaningless" and that they "deserve the truth about what happened, accountability for the decisions that were made, and action to make sure this cannot happen again."
Furthermore, the families have urged Camden council to consider prosecuting Bright Horizons under health and safety legislation, suggesting the recent revelations strengthen the case for a criminal investigation.
The controversy has impacted the first week of Labour MP Sagal Abdi-Wali, who was previously the leader of Camden council and presided over the delayed review. Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, has written to Camden council requesting the documentation from the 2021 investigation, citing the significant distress these revelations are causing.
Camden council acknowledged the public concern and stated that its local authority designated officer (LADO) provided advice to Bright Horizons in 2021 after being informed of the complaint. The council affirmed that all relevant documents have been shared with the independent review team and expressed a desire for families to receive the answers they deserve.
A spokesperson for Bright Horizons expressed their continued dismay at Chan's crimes and stated their thoughts are with the affected children and families. They encouraged parents to share concerns with the ongoing child safeguarding practice review (CSPR) and declined further comment due to the ongoing nature of the review.