This case is about a young person, Alfie*, who experienced serious neglect and harm throughout his childhood. The organisations responsible for keeping him safe failed to act, even when there were clear signs that he was at risk. Because of these failures, Alfie’s basic human rights were not protected.
Human rights are everyday protections that every person should be able to rely on, especially children. They include the right to be safe from harm, to have a family life, and to receive proper care. When these essential rights are not upheld, it becomes a human rights case.
What happened to Alfie
From the time he was a baby until he was 13, Alfie lived in conditions that no child should experience. He faced long-term neglect and some physical mistreatment. Even though he had serious medical needs, including diabetes, he often didn’t receive the right food, medication, or medical appointments. This lack of care has had lasting effects on his physical and mental health.
Alfie also missed out on normal family experiences. Because the Local Authority didn’t arrange a passport for him, he couldn’t go on holidays with his foster family and instead was placed in respite care. His time with family members was inconsistent and, at times, distressing for him.
Early signs that were ignored
There were many clear safeguarding concerns raised by professionals involved in Alfie’s life.
His primary school reported:
- Unexplained injuries
- Untreated eczema
- Poor hygiene
- Frequent occasions where no one collected him from school
Alfie also told adults that some injuries were caused by his parents.
His GP also raised concerns after Alfie repeatedly missed important medical appointments over several years.
These should have led to immediate action to investigate his safety. But that didn’t happen. The lack of response meant Alfie continued living in a harmful environment much longer than he should have.
Why this is a human rights case
Children have fundamental rights, including:
- The right to be protected from harm and degrading treatment
- The right to a safe family life and stable care
These aren’t optional. Public authorities, including local authorities and health bodies, have a legal duty to uphold them. In Alfie’s case, the people responsible for his safety didn’t take the necessary steps to protect him, even when they knew he was at risk.
Because of this, Alfie was exposed to years of neglect, violence in the home, and situations that were unsafe and damaging. He also missed out on proper medical care, stability, and opportunities to thrive.
When authorities fail to protect a child in these ways, it becomes a breach of that child’s human rights.
The ongoing impact
The effects of Alfie’s childhood experiences continue into his adult life. He now lives with:
- Anxiety
- Symptoms of PTSD
- Difficulties relating to addiction
- Long-term physical health problems caused by poor medical management
Enable Law is supporting Alfie by carefully gathering independent medical and psychological evidence to fully understand the impact of the neglect and harm he experienced. This includes expert input from:
- Paediatricians
- Endocrinologists
- Psychiatrists
- Educational psychologists
Any compensation secured will be used to fund the therapeutic support and interventions Alfie needs to aid his recovery, protect his health, and support his long-term wellbeing.
How Enable Law can help
If you have suffered abuse as a child you are entitled to legal advice. We understand that talking about such experiences can be traumatic but if and when you are ready a member of our specialist team would be happy to have a free, confidential discussion with you and explore options for making a civil claim. To have a chat with a member of our team call us on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form.
*Name changed
