Oldham Council is under intense pressure following revelations of systemic safeguarding failures in its children’s services. A newly published review exposed that between 2021 and 2022, council staff ignored 37 professional alerts about a neglected ten-year-old boy known as Abdur, who was hospitalised with life-threatening malnutrition and scurvy. These failures come just days after the sentencing of adoptive parents who killed toddler Preston Davey, sparking calls for a full public inquiry into the council’s handling of child protection.
Ignored Alerts And Neglect
Teachers and school staff repeatedly reported alarming signs of severe abuse and neglect affecting Abdur, including rapid weight loss, untreated tooth pain, and being sent to school with mouldy bread. Despite 37 distinct referrals, Oldham Council failed to act or intervene effectively, allowing conditions to deteriorate dangerously.
Shocking Hospital Admission
In February 2022, Abdur was admitted to the hospital suffering from advanced scurvy and critical malnutrition. Disturbingly, after his discharge, social services returned him to the care of his drug-addicted mother without adequate safeguards.
Parallels With Preston Davey Case
The timeline of Abdur’s neglect coincides with Oldham Council’s handling of Preston Davey, a toddler taken into care days after birth under an emergency protection order. Preston was later adopted by Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley, who were sentenced in July 2023 for torturing and murdering him. Abdur and Preston are two of three children known to the council who suffered fatal or critical harm over 18 months.
Calls For Public Inquiry
Following the criminal trials, the UK Children’s Minister has mandated an independent review of Oldham’s safeguarding practices. However, MPs and child protection campaigners argue this is insufficient and demand a full statutory public inquiry to scrutinise the council’s vetting, placement, and referral processes to safeguard vulnerable children better.
Political Pressure Mounts
Local politicians warn that other at-risk children remain vulnerable under current procedures. They call urgently for increased transparency and accountability to prevent further tragedies and restore trust in Oldham’s child protection services.
Originally published by UKNIP.
