‘ZAC WOULDN’T BE ALIVE IF HE’D RELIED ON CHILDREN’S SERVICES’
ZAC, 17, was known to children’s services in west London because of severe risk factors in his community. He lived on a high-rise estate with his uncle and aunt, having been sent to the UK from Africa as an infant. But just before lockdown, it became apparent
Zac’s life was in danger and he begged children’s services to move him to safety.
Zac’s mistake was refusing to join the local gang, instead making friends on a rival estate. When gang members from this rival estate killed a local gang member last year, Zac was seen as “a legitimate target” by association. In March tensions rose, with the murder case going to trial and a relative of the victim about to be released from prison — and word was out that he was after revenge.
Zac had the support of youth worker Aron, from a local charity, who advocated to get social services to draw up a child protection plan and rehouse Zac. “There were posts on social media saying they were going to kill Zac so the situation was serious and urgent, but then lockdown happened,” said Aron. “There was supposed to be a multi-agency meeting but lockdown meant Zac had to join by speaker phone and things at the council then ground to a halt.” In May things escalated. Zac told Aron that as he came home one night, a group of young people with machetes “tried to make a move” on him, adding: “I need to leave now. If I wait any longer, I will be dead.” Aron called children’s services and reached the emergency duty team. “It was the weekend and there was only one person there who seemed to be co-ordinating services for multiple boroughs,” he said. “After telling her this child’s life was in danger, I realised from her tone that children’s services would do nothing. So I called Zac’s uncle and said if he could find someone in the family who lived out of London and could take Zac I would drive him up. A few hours later we were on the way to the Midlands and I was dropping off Zac at an aunt he had not seen in 10 years.” Aron said: “I shudder to think what would have happened to Zac if he had relied solely on children’s services and did not have us. I am convinced he would not be alive today.”