Camden Council faces questions over nursery worker safeguarding

Vincent Chan, a former nursery worker, was cleared by an investigation overseen by Camden Council three years before his arrest for child abuse. Chan was jailed in February for 56 offences, including the abuse of three-year-old girls in his care at a Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road. Prosecutors described him as a "prolific sexual predator" following his conviction.

Safeguarding concerns raised in 2021

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The Guardian has revealed that "significant concerns" about Chan's conduct were raised with Bright Horizons and Camden Council in 2021 by the parent of a young girl. The parent reported concerns about what her daughter was saying about Chan. Bright Horizons referred the matter to Camden Council, which advised the nursery to conduct its own investigation. During this period, Chan was assigned duties that did not involve contact with children.

Following the Bright Horizons investigation, Chan was cleared to resume his role caring for young children. A year later, in 2022, Chan filmed himself sexually abusing three-year-old girls at the Finchley Road nursery. He was arrested in June 2024 after nursery staff discovered videos of distressed children filmed by Chan.

Police investigation and conviction

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A police search of Chan's devices as part of the 2024 investigation uncovered tens of thousands of child abuse images on his computer, revealing him to be a prolific sexual offender. He had also committed sexual offences in a previous role as a teaching assistant at St Mary's Church of England primary school in Dollis Park, north London, including upskirting female pupils. In February of this year, Chan received an 18-year prison sentence.

The revelation that Camden Council and Bright Horizons were aware of concerns about Chan three years before his arrest, and that an investigation had taken place, raises questions about potential missed opportunities to prevent further abuse. It also prompts wider considerations regarding the adequacy of existing safeguards for nurseries.

Independent safeguarding review commissioned

In early 2024, prior to Chan's arrest, other parents reportedly raised concerns with Bright Horizons about Chan's behaviour, stating their children reported him shouting and being a "bad man". These concerns were allegedly dismissed. The Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road closed in June 2025, after Chan's arrest.

Camden Council has commissioned an independent local child safeguarding practice review to examine how Chan was able to abuse children at the Finchley Road nursery and in his previous role. The review, led by an independent reviewer, is expected to be published in early 2027. Camden Council stated that its participation in the review is thorough, and all relevant documents and information have been disclosed. The council spokesperson added that they are determined to make a tangible impact on future safeguarding arrangements.

A spokesperson for Bright Horizons stated that their thoughts remain with the victims and their families. They added that they would not be able to comment while the Camden local authority's child safeguarding practice review is ongoing, to avoid prejudicing the process.

Further questions and next steps

The council has rejected a freedom of information request from The Guardian regarding Chan's employment at the nursery, citing a need to "manage" information release. It is understood that Camden Council received other unrelated safeguarding referrals from Bright Horizons between 2017 and 2024, the period Chan was employed at the nursery. The independent review's findings are anticipated to be critical of the safeguarding culture within Bright Horizons, though the review is not intended to hold specific individuals or organisations to account, according to a letter from Camden Council seen by The Guardian.