Conservative Group Leader on Hounslow Council has called for an urgent independent Serious Case Review following a damning High Court judgment which found that Hounslow Council failed in its duty of care to two orphaned children living in Chiswick.
The court heard that the boy, known as “CLT”, and his sister were left for five years in squalid conditions in a council-owned home after the death of both parents. Despite being aware of their situation, the council failed to treat them as “looked after” children under the Children Act 1989, meaning they did not receive the care, protection and oversight they were legally entitled to.
The judge found that Hounslow had effectively “orchestrated” their placement with an unsuitable carer while retaining ultimate responsibility, yet took no meaningful action when warnings were repeatedly raised by professionals and by the children themselves.
In response, Conservatives have written formally to the Council’s Chief Executive demanding a full, independent Serious Case Review.
Cllr Peter Thompson, Conservative Group Leader, said:
“This is a deeply disturbing case that should trouble every resident in Hounslow. Two vulnerable, orphaned children were effectively abandoned by a council that had a clear legal duty to protect them.
“This cannot be brushed aside as a one-off mistake. We need an independent Serious Case Review so we can understand exactly what went wrong, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that no child in Hounslow is ever treated like this again.”
The Serious Case Review would examine safeguarding decision-making, oversight of private fostering arrangements, and whether similar failures could exist elsewhere in the borough.