Expert Witness Journal Issue 65 February 2026 - Flipbook - Page 42
Nurseries and safeguarding
by Sophie Shulman
The NSPCC de昀椀nes child sexual abuse as any act
that forces, tricks, or manipulates a child or young
person into sexual activity. In the UK, the legal age
of consent is 16, meaning children cannot legally
consent to sexual acts. Any sexual activity involving
a child is therefore a serious criminal o昀昀ence.
Concerns were 昀椀rst raised when a sta昀昀 member
reported that Chan had 昀椀lmed a child falling asleep
and shared the video for “comedic purposes”. This
led to a Metropolitan Police investigation, which was
described as one of its most harrowing and complex
child sexual abuse cases.
In 2025 a number of convictions of nursery workers
show how challenging it can be to ensure the safety
of children in nursery care even when the nursery
has in place safeguarding policies and procedures,
undertakes the necessary DBS checks and trains
its sta昀昀. They show the importance of constant
vigilance and proactive management.
Chan was arrested in June 2024 with o昀케cers
seizing 25 devices from his home and three from
the nursery. He was released on bail but dismissed
immediately. Forensic analysis completed in July
2025 revealed substantial evidence of contact sexual
o昀昀ences and indecent images. Chan was re-arrested
in September 2025 when police seized an additional
26 devices from his home and 15 from the nursery.
Sentencing is scheduled for 23 January 2026 at Wood
Green Crown Court. The nursery has since closed.
The case highlighted below is an example of
how in any setting involving the care of children
safeguarding must be a live consideration at all times
and in all activities undertaken. This case serves as a
clear reminder that safeguarding is not just a moral
obligation, but a legal necessity. Institutions must
implement comprehensive measures, including
enhanced vetting and DBS checks, safeguarding
reporting protocols and mandatory sta昀昀 training on
child protection to ensure the safety and wellbeing
of every child in their care.
Police have identi昀椀ed four child victims and the
NSPCC has launched a helpline for the 700 families
whose children attended the nursery during Chan’s
employment. The nursery owner has commissioned
an external safeguarding review, acknowledging
that Chan was able to commit these crimes despite
existing measures.
Vincent Chan, 45, worked at a North London
nursery between 2017 and 2024. During this period,
Chan committed multiple sexual o昀昀ences against
children. He pleaded guilty to 26 o昀昀ences, including
昀椀ve counts of sexual assault by penetration, four
counts of sexual assault by touching, eleven
counts of taking indecent photographs or pseudophotographs of a child, and six counts of making
indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs
of a child. The o昀昀ences included images across
categories A, B, and C, with Category A depicting
the most severe abuse.
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EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
40
FEBRUARY 2026
