Families affected by one of the most disturbing childcare abuse cases in recent years have begun legal action against Camden Council over its refusal to investigate whether the nursery operator failed to protect children.
Vincent Chan, 45, was sentenced in February 2026 to 18 years in custody for 56 sexual offences, including 20 offences committed against children at a Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in north London. Chan had worked at the nursery for seven years until 2024.
In a letter putting the council on legal notice of a potential judicial review claim, three families say Camden Council has a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to investigate whether Bright Horizons’ safeguarding systems failed to protect children. The families have highlighted a series of concerns, including staff shortages, complaints from parents and staff about Chan’s behaviour, and his prolific use of digital devices.
Camden Council has made clear it will not investigate. According to the families, the council has shifted its position over time, initially suggesting an investigation would be too complex, later claiming to be conflicted due to its involvement in a separate review, and now stating the matter falls outside its jurisdiction altogether.
The families argue that the law is clear. Correspondence from the Health and Safety Executive reportedly supports the position that Camden is the enforcing authority for nursery facilities in non-domestic premises, which includes Bright Horizons.
The families also argue that the council’s refusal is unlawful on human rights grounds, because the children affected were among the most vulnerable members of society and are entitled to effective scrutiny of alleged systemic failings.
Leigh Day solicitor Catriona Rubens said: ‘The families impacted by Chan’s abuse feel a great deal of concern that he was able to offend unchecked at the nursery for such a prolonged period, during which time a number of troubling behaviours were observed and complained about by both parents and staff. It is crucial that Bright Horizons is fully investigated to identify whether the nursery’s systems and operations may have placed the children’s health and safety at risk.
‘Our view and that of counsel we have instructed is that the law is clear that Camden Council is responsible as the enforcing authority and must undertake this investigation. Our clients hope this legal letter will prompt action from the council, and see steps urgently taken to scrutinise whether Bright Horizons has breached health and safety regulations.’
A wider group of families has instructed Leigh Day to bring a civil claim against Bright Horizons for breach of contract, alleging safeguarding failures that permitted Chan’s crimes.
The families say the case has national significance because it raises unresolved questions about the enforcement of safeguarding duties in private nursery settings.
Photo: Sasun Bughdaryan
Leave a Reply