Boy's neglect 'missed' by social services

The child, known as Abdur, deteriorated over several weeks in 2023

A 10-year-old boy was hospitalised due to "potentially life-threatening" neglect which was missed by social services, a report has found.

The child, known as Abdur in the report, was treated for malnourishment, anaemia, and scurvy - a severe vitamin deficiency which gave him leg pain and meant four of his teeth had to be removed.

Oldham Council had received 38 alerts from Abdur's school- including a report that his lunch box contained nothing but "mouldy bread and water" - but despite this, they were in the process of stepping him down from his care plan.

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We have taken these findings extremely seriously and acted on the learning points identified."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the safeguarding review said Abdur as a "very likable and delightful child" who was "extremely chatty", but his state deteriorated over several weeks between January and February 2023.

His mother was already known to social services due to a long-term drug addiction to heroin and crack cocaine, which had led to several of her older children being placed into the care of extended family.

'Preventable' condition

The report, which was commissioned shortly after the incident but only published recently, found there were "missed opportunities" for Abdur's care.

It said: "Abdur was telling school professionals for some time that he felt unwell and unhappy.

The report said Abdur had been in extreme pain due to a severe lack of vitamins C and D that left him struggling to walk - but his mother and stepfather told social services they did not believe he was in pain.

He was forced to walk by his parents, causing him to flag down a stranger's car to get a lift to school – putting himself at significant risk, the report noted.

Abdur's issues were missed twice at A&E and once at a GP appointment, before he was eventually admitted to a paediatric hospital through his school nurse.

His "preventable" condition could have become life-threatening if he had not received treatment when he did, the report said.

'Distressing case'

Abdur had been placed under a care order at home two years before he was admitted to hospital, meaning Oldham Council was responsible for his wellbeing despite him living in the family home.

Abdur remains under a full care order at home with his mother, stepfather and half siblings.

Speaking on behalf of the Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership, Mushtaq said: "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."

He added: "The safeguarding reviews make it clear that while there were professionals who showed real dedication and care, there were also areas where we should have done better."

He said the incidents took place "several years ago" and the council had since made "significant changes" to strenthen its safeguarding work.

"That includes earlier identification of risk, better co-ordination between agencies, and a renewed focus on making sure that every child's voice is heard, understood and acted upon," he said.

"Oldham's safeguarding partnership now operates with greater oversight, stronger challenge, and clearer accountability."