Families demand answers over nursery abuser's return to work
Concerns about Vincent Chan were investigated in 2021 but not referred to police, allowing him to continue working.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Two independent outlets cite multiple named sources, documents, and specific dates for corroboration.
Higher is stronger
Both articles clearly separate fact from comment, provide specific details, and explain what happens next.
Higher is stronger
Headlines are direct, but the articles use loaded adjectives like 'vile' and 'predator' to describe the abuser.
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Dozens of families are seeking a full independent account of how concerns about former nursery worker Vincent Chan were handled in 2021, after he was allowed to continue working with children despite an internal investigation. Chan was jailed for 18 years in February for 56 sexual offences against children at the Bright Horizons nursery in Barnet, where he worked between 2017 and 2024.
Complaint not referred to police
Camden Council faces questions over nursery worker safeguarding
An independent review is examining how Vincent Chan was cleared by an inquiry before being jailed for child abuse.
Concerns about Chan's behaviour were investigated by Bright Horizons in 2021, with oversight from Camden Council's safeguarding team. However, the matter was not referred to the Metropolitan Police, and Chan subsequently returned to his role. This disclosure has intensified anger among affected families, many of whom are now pursuing legal action against the nursery provider.
More than 50 families, represented by solicitor Alison Millar, have stated they require "a full and independent account of what happened, who knew what, when they knew it and why these decisions were made." Millar has indicated that the latest disclosures strengthen the case for a criminal investigation into Bright Horizons for potential breaches of health and safety legislation.
Parents speaking anonymously to the BBC expressed shock, stating that the 2021 complaint represented an opportunity to stop Chan's actions years earlier. They described their son as living with post-traumatic stress disorder, having witnessed abuse and been asked to participate in harming other children. Some offences, they believe, occurred while girls were sleeping.
Parents demand inquiry into nursery worker's return after abuse
Over 50 families represented by Leigh Day seek independent examination of 2021 complaint handling.
Safeguarding review underway
An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) is currently in progress, with findings anticipated in early 2027. Camden Council has confirmed it has shared all relevant documents and information with the CSPR team and is committed to implementing recommendations. Bright Horizons stated it is appalled by Chan's crimes and is encouraging parents to share their concerns with the review, but cannot comment further while the process is ongoing.
Families are advocating for national reforms to nursery safeguarding, including the installation of CCTV in all nursery rooms, stricter regulations regarding digital devices, and the establishment of a national reporting system for parents and whistleblowers.
Questions this report answers
+What happened with Vincent Chan?
Vincent Chan, a former nursery worker at Bright Horizons in Barnet, was jailed for 18 years in February after admitting 56 sexual offences against children. He had previously been the subject of a complaint in 2021, which was investigated internally but not reported to the police.
+Why are families demanding answers?
Families are demanding answers because concerns about Vincent Chan's conduct were investigated in 2021 but he was allowed to continue working. They seek a full account of what was known and why decisions were made, as they believe this was an opportunity to prevent further abuse.
+What is being done to address the issues?
An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is underway and expected to report in 2027. Camden Council has shared information with the review team. Families are also calling for reforms such as CCTV in nursery rooms and tighter rules on digital devices.
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