Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Camden Nursery Sexual Abuse Case 2025-12-04

04 December 2025 · 13 other contributors

Opened by The Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson

Justice & CourtsSafeguarding & DBSChildren & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

The Secretary of State for Education raised concerns about camden nursery sexual abuse case 2025-12-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Vincent Chan pleaded guilty to 26 offences involving child sexual abuse from June 2017 to May 2024.
  • The offences included multiple counts of sexual assault on a child by penetration.
  • The Metropolitan Police provided support to affected families through the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Secretary of State for Education

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will now make a statement regarding the sickening case of child sexual abuse at a nursery in Camden. A 45-year-old British man, Vincent Chan, has pleaded guilty to 26 offences including multiple counts of sexual assault on a child by penetration and taking and making indecent photographs of a child, affecting children from June 2017 to May 2024. The Metropolitan police have met families affected and provided support through the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) helpline. A rapid review concluded that a full local child safeguarding practice review is warranted. I will work closely with local partners, Home Office colleagues, and Sir David Holmes to ensure robust safeguards are in place. The Government have provided funding to support families affected by this crime.

Other contributors (13)
  • Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks

    Question

    The delay in examining abusive content on seized devices over a year ago is unacceptable. What steps will the Secretary of State take to ensure faster processes for cases involving children's welfare?

    Minister reply

    I acknowledge the right hon. Lady's concerns about the delays in examining devices and reviewing CCTV footage. I will discuss this matter with Home Office colleagues and consider setting up an expert advisory group to develop guidance on the safe and effective use of CCTV and digital devices in early years settings.

  • Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood

    Question

    Questions were raised about the effectiveness of Ofsted’s early years inspection regime, the review of current safeguarding training requirements for staff, and a call to rethink the decision on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse recommended by Professor Alexis Jay.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State will work with Ofsted to review the regulation of nursery chains and ensure that settings remain vigilant in reporting concerns. She also committed to reviewing safeguarding training requirements for staff and will continue discussions with colleagues in the Home Office on implementing mandatory reporting as recommended.

  • Munira Wilson LD Twickenham

    Question

    Suggested three broad areas for change: transparency around who is working in early years settings, monitoring including CCTV mandates and Ofsted inspections, and accountability measures for nursery chains.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State will ask the expert advisory group to consider whether mandatory use of CCTV should be required in early years settings. Ofsted will receive additional funding to enhance inspection quality by strengthening processes and providing training for inspectors.

  • Tulip Siddiq Lab Hampstead and Highgate

    Question

    Asked about enhanced background checks, use of safeguarding CCTV, mandatory two-adult supervision rule, expanding Ofsted ratings to include digital device policies, an independent state-run reporting body, and a meeting with the Prime Minister.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State will respond in writing on many questions raised by Tulip Siddiq. She assured that the Prime Minister would be happy to meet affected parents and discuss further the issues they have raised.

  • Bradley Thomas Con Bromsgrove

    Question

    Asked about the expected findings of the review and additional steps for easier reporting by parents with safeguarding concerns.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State stated that local reviews will be led by independent reviewers. She committed to ensuring that any recommendations from these reviews are considered for wider implications.

  • Sam Carling Lab North West Cambridgeshire

    Question

    This awful case underlines the importance of implementing recommendations from the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse as soon as possible. The Home Office has plans not to implement the recommendation on mandatory reporting in full, which will leave children vulnerable. Will the Secretary of State ask a relevant Minister from her Department to meet me to discuss these concerns and find a solution?

    Minister reply

    The Secretary understands the hon. Member's concern about ensuring strong protections for all children. The Government has provided a progress update on implementing IICSA recommendations, including the establishment of a child protection authority, and will launch a consultation shortly. She will speak to colleagues in the Home Office to arrange the requested meeting.

  • Caroline Voaden LD South Devon

    Question

    There is a concerning lack of accountability once a setting shuts down, even if it is part of a chain. There is no mechanism to ensure that chain providers have corporate responsibility when harm occurs. How will the Minister address this? What assurances can she give parents about checks and vetting of staff members before they work elsewhere?

    Minister reply

    The Department is working with Ofsted to review the regulation of nursery chains, ensuring parents can see strengths and areas of concern across a chain. Action can be taken where appropriate. The Minister will ensure that the hon. Member receives a full response from Ofsted setting out its approach and any changes being considered in relation to her questions.

  • Jen Craft Lab Thurrock

    Question

    All thoughts are with the families affected by this case. A whistleblower brought serious safeguarding concerns to the police, raising questions about corporate responsibility when a setting is part of a larger chain and whether it can be trusted with safeguarding more widely. What measures will be introduced to protect whistleblowers in such cases?

    Minister reply

    The Department is taking an active approach in early years and schools, working closely with Ofsted on these issues. My hon. Friend raises concerns about the importance of ensuring we have the right framework to take action where necessary. Whistleblowers continue to enjoy protection under the law when they act to protect others from harm.

  • Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin

    Question

    Will the Secretary State join me in praising the Metropolitan police team and the Crown Prosecution Service for their work on this case? This country has a significant problem with child sexual abuse, estimated at half a million children sexually abused annually. What more can be done to ensure tech company owners are held accountable when they do not take action against downloading and viewing of such images?

    Minister reply

    The right hon. Gentleman is correct in drawing attention to the scale of child sexual abuse seen in our country, which includes an appalling amount online. The Government will continue working with Home Office colleagues on this issue and will carefully consider what he said about developing a child protection authority.

  • Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South

    Question

    May I put on the record that I agree with the sentiments of urgency shown by the Secretary State in dealing with this case and potential future cases? The trigger point was the whistleblower, which must be looked at. Can the Secretary State assure me that unregistered, unregulated settings are quickly looked at and lessons learned from this particular case are shared among all settings across the country?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Friend is correct in his sentiments about urgency. Alongside bringing forward the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Department is taking steps to improve safeguarding through a legal obligation for safeguarding partners to work hand in hand with education and childcare settings, which will help spread lessons learned much more widely.

  • Bridget Phillipson Lab MP Constituency

    Question

    The case was only discovered due to minor concerns, which turned out to be much more. What lesson can be learned from this case in relation to whistleblowing to ensure that staff feel safe enough to report anything unusual without the fear of not being protected?

    Minister reply

    I am very pleased that the person involved has pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced—hopefully, he will get a strict punishment. The local review, which will come forward shortly, will put us in a position to consider what lessons there are from this case.

  • Unknown MP

    Minister reply

    The ongoing need to make sure that all settings are as safe as possible for our children. As part of that work, particularly around early years settings, we strengthened the requirements in September and introduced a wide range of strengthened safeguarding measures to the early years foundation stage.

Shadow Comment

Laura Trott

This is an utterly horrific case that has shocked parents across the country. There needs to be a faster process for examining devices and reviewing CCTV footage in cases involving children's welfare. The delay in accessing abusive content on seized devices over 12 months ago is unacceptable. I urge the Secretary of State to raise this matter with the Home Secretary and ensure a rigorous investigation by Ofsted, looking into all concerns raised previously about Mr Chan.

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