Neglect Case of Young Boy Highlights Failures in Support Services

A ten-year-old boy, referred to as Abdur, suffered severe neglect that led to a hospital admission after multiple oversights by social services. The child was hospitalized due to malnourishment, anaemia, and scurvy, a serious vitamin C deficiency that caused excruciating leg pain and resulted in the removal of four of his teeth. The case has drawn attention to significant failings within the child protection system in Oldham, located in Greater Manchester.

In January and February 2023, Abdur’s health steadily deteriorated, as outlined in a recent safeguarding report. School staff raised alarm about his rapid weight loss and other indicators of neglect on 38 separate occasions. Reports indicated that his lunchbox often contained only “dry, and on one occasion mouldy, bread and water.” Despite these alarming signs, social services failed to act appropriately. Instead, they were in the process of reducing Abdur’s care plan.

Abdur’s mother, a long-term drug addict, had previously lost custody of several older children, with Abdur placed under a care order at home two years before the incident. His family had moved to Oldham during his early childhood, and he was known to social services due to his mother’s struggles. The report reveals that Abdur’s parents dismissed his complaints of pain, stating they did not believe he was suffering, even as he faced significant challenges related to his health.

Compounding the neglect, Abdur was forced to walk back to school from a doctor’s appointment, despite being in severe pain. In a desperate attempt to return, he flagged down a stranger’s car, exposing himself to unnecessary risk. His health issues went unnoticed during two visits to the accident and emergency department and a subsequent GP appointment. Only after intervention from his school nurse was he admitted to a pediatric hospital, where he received necessary treatment.

The safeguarding report, commissioned shortly after Abdur’s hospitalization, emphasizes the “missed opportunities” in his care plan. It stated, “The signs were there,” highlighting that Abdur had communicated his feelings of unwellness and unhappiness to school professionals over time. Unlike other cases across the country, there were regular multi-agency meetings in the year prior to the incident that could have addressed the growing concerns.

The report also criticized the lack of attention given to Abdur’s voice, noting that his mother’s alternative explanations often overshadowed his own experiences. As of now, Abdur remains under a full care order at home with his mother, stepfather, and half-siblings.

In response to the findings, Shaid Mushtaq, Oldham’s cabinet member for children and young people, expressed deep concern. “This is a deeply distressing case, and my thoughts are first and foremost with Abdur and his family. No child should ever have to experience what they went through, and as a council, we are truly sorry for the pain and trauma they have suffered.”

Mushtaq acknowledged the dedication of some professionals while admitting there were areas that required improvement. “We have taken these findings extremely seriously and acted on the learning points identified.” He outlined significant changes made since the incident, including improvements in the early identification of risk, better coordination among agencies, and an enhanced focus on ensuring every child’s voice is heard and acted upon.

Oldham’s safeguarding partnership now operates with improved oversight, stronger accountability, and renewed challenges to ensure no child faces the same fate as Abdur. Despite these efforts, the journey towards comprehensive improvement continues, underscoring the need for vigilance and responsiveness in child protection services.