16th September 2025
An Essex parent has raised urgent concerns about the handling of a Child and Family (CAF) assessment involving her two daughters, alleging that critical medical information has been ignored or withheld, putting the children at risk.
The mother — who asked to remain anonymous — says she has repeatedly reported serious health issues to local authorities, including hospital admissions and abnormal test results, but claims Essex social care has failed to escalate the case to a statutory child protection enquiry under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.
“We have been raising red-flag concerns for months,” she told the Gazette. “Despite two hospitalisations and documented medical neglect acknowledged at NHS Chief Executive level, the council continues with a generic CAF assessment rather than the appropriate statutory process.”
Medical Concerns Ignored
One child has reportedly been hospitalised and discharged twice during the CAF process with unresolved issues including bradycardia (low heart rate), hypoxia, faltering growth, and repeated impaction. These are considered key safeguarding indicators in NICE guidance.
The mother says that omissions in her child’s medical records were later acknowledged by the hospital trust’s Chief Executive following a Subject Access Request
Failure to Escalate
Under statutory guidance, a CAF assessment must be completed within 45 working days, and serious health risks should trigger a Section 47 child protection enquiry. The mother argues that Essex has breached its duties under Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) by failing to escalate the case.
She further alleges that when she requested an advocate — a right under the Care Act 2014 and Equality Act 2010 — a scheduled meeting was cancelled rather than reasonable adjustments being made.
Call for Action
In a formal escalation, the parent has requested written confirmation of:
· Why no safeguarding referral was made concerning withheld clinical results and hospital neglect.
· How the local authority will address risks to vaccination safety and ongoing medical care.
· Why statutory procedures under Section 17 and Section 47 have not been initiated.
· Funding for an independent advocate at future meetings.
She has warned that if no satisfactory response is provided, she will escalate the matter to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman, Ofsted, and the Department for Education.
