House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
The Sentencing of Vincent Chan
12 February 2026 · Department for Education
Proposed by Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The government is strengthening early years providers' recruitment processes.
- Free universal safeguarding training with NSPCC is being introduced.
- Ofsted will report on larger nursery chains to address safety issues.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the sentencing of Vincent Chan for his crimes against children and discusses ongoing measures to enhance child safeguarding practices.
Action requested
The government is taking actions such as strengthening early years providers' recruitment processes, introducing free universal safeguarding training with NSPCC, inspecting new early years providers within 18 months, reporting on larger nursery chains through Ofsted, and proposing a Child Protection Authority to address various child safety issues.
Key facts
- Vincent Chan is due for sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court.
- A Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review is currently being conducted.
- New requirements were strengthened in the Early Years Foundation Stage last September.
- Free, universal safeguarding training for staff working in early years settings will be introduced with NSPCC.
- Ofsted will inspect new providers within 18 months and all providers every four years.
- The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to improve multi-agency child protection teams and information-sharing.
- A Child Protection Authority is proposed to protect children from various harms, as recommended by Alexis Jay’s IICSA report.