Children who could barely talk or walk after extreme neglect rescued from London home when delivery driver raised alarm

Detailed summary

The siblings, aged six and seven, had never been to school and were living in squalid conditions at their home in Hounslow

Two children who could barely speak or walk after suffering severe neglect were rescued from their squalid London home only after a supermarket delivery driver raised the alarm, despite repeated warnings to authorities about the family.

The siblings, aged six and seven, had never been to school and their flat in Hounslow was strewn with rubbish and discarded nappies, a damning report has found.

It was suspected they had been been confined to high chairs or tied to furniture for long periods.

In February 2025, police removed the children from their mother’s home after being alerted by a supermarket delivery driver who said he frequently delivered to the address and was concerned about their welfare.

But there had been five previous referrals five to Hounslow social services about the family since 2023.

“None of these” resulted in meaningful interventions, the Safeguarding Practice Review published by the NSPCC this month found.

The referrals came from a range of sources, including the police, neighbours, the children's aunt, a dentist and the children's father.

“When police eventually intervened in February 2025, the children were found in severe neglect,” the report states.

“Maternal Aunt described the home as filthy, dark, with taped windows, no sunlight, and drawings on the walls.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Evening Standard. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.