IanT Posted February 7, 2010 Posted February 7, 2010 I'm worried about a child who lives next door to me, who's the best person\company to report my concern too? Social Services?
mossj Posted February 7, 2010 Posted February 7, 2010 Yep your local branch... Do it and then forget about it.
CSNM-Carl Posted February 7, 2010 Posted February 7, 2010 (edited) Why are you concerned for them? The best people to call are social services or the NSPCC, of if you think the child is in immediate danger or at risk the police. Edited February 7, 2010 by CSNM-Carl
mossj Posted February 7, 2010 Posted February 7, 2010 Why are you concerned for then? I wouldn't recommend saying that on a public forum... p.s carl your have the Edith spam message on your profile
IanT Posted February 7, 2010 Author Posted February 7, 2010 I'm not going into details about why I need to contact them.
IanT Posted February 7, 2010 Author Posted February 7, 2010 NSPCC would be the best place to start IMHO Thanks witch
StewartKnight Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 I think social services is a better bet myself.... depending on which borough you're in!
p858snake Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Not quite sure about UK but: Contact your local child protective services department (or whatever it is named over there) or get in contact with the local police and they will know how to handle it. If you need help, there should be a member of staff or two in your school that should know what to do/how to handle these issues.
sippo Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Before you contact anyone I'd just make sure you have your facts correct first. I'd hate to call someone then realise I was wrong. 1
witch Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Before you contact anyone I'd just make sure you have your facts correct first. I'd hate to call someone then realise I was wrong. No, I don't agree - that's why I said contact the NSPCC. They won't presume you are right or wrong, they will just investigate and find out. If you ARE wrong, and all is well, the NSPCC will be pleased. They would much rather be told there might be a problem, than not. Too many people DON'T step in when they should because they are worried about whether they have got things right or wrong, and children are suffering because of it. 1
sippo Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 But imagine the heartache and pain the family will go through if nothing is wrong. Being accused of something when innocent isn't nice!
gibbo_ap Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 they not called social services now are they? we had some1 in about child protection and i did pay attention at the time and have forgot most of it now
laserblazer Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 But imagine the heartache and pain the family will go through if nothing is wrong. Being accused of something when innocent isn't nice! I can see where you are coming from but equally what if you left it and something terrible happened? If I was in the OP's situation, I'd find out what school the child goes to, explain my fears to the Pastoral Care Manager here and get their advice. It could be that they would contact their oppo. at the child's school who may have some background knowledge. That might prevent Social Services banging on the door unless it is felt necessary.
witch Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 But imagine the heartache and pain the family will go through if nothing is wrong. Being accused of something when innocent isn't nice! But that's my point - the NSPCC NEVER accuse anyone of anything, or refer something up to Social Services until they have investigated. Yes, of course it would be awful to have them on the doorstep and have to explain what was going on. But it isn't an 'official' accusation and wouldn't turn into one unless the NSPCC felt that there was due cause
RingOfFlame Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Before you contact anyone I'd just make sure you have your facts correct first. I'd hate to call someone then realise I was wrong. That is a good point. You do not say what your concerns are, so unless you have actually seen anything with your own eyes I do not think you are in a position to start interfering in peoples lives.
Daleus Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 That is a good point. You do not say what your concerns are, so unless you have actually seen anything with your own eyes I do not think you are in a position to start interfering in peoples lives. If there's nothing wrong - nothing will come of it. Better safe than sorry?
sippo Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 But that's my point - the NSPCC NEVER accuse anyone of anything, or refer something up to Social Services until they have investigated. Yes, of course it would be awful to have them on the doorstep and have to explain what was going on. But it isn't an 'official' accusation and wouldn't turn into one unless the NSPCC felt that there was due cause I guess it's one of those catch 22 situations. If you say something and its nothing then you feel guilty, if you don't say something and its something then you also feel guilty.
RingOfFlame Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 If there's nothing wrong - nothing will come of it. Better safe than sorry? A quick google turns up things like this. Couple told they cannot have their children back after being wrongfully accused of abuse to take court battle to Europe | Mail Online Also do not forget that poor Baby P. It would see that your government cannot get it right, so what make you think the OP is in a better position to interfere?
Daleus Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 A quick google turns up things like this. Couple told they cannot have their children back after being wrongfully accused of abuse to take court battle to Europe | Mail Online Also do not forget that poor Baby P. It would see that your government cannot get it right, so what make you think the OP is in a better position to interfere? If something was wrong - would OP be able to forgive him/herself for not interfering due to the incompetence of local government? Conscience is something no one wants.
witch Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 As I said - contact NSPCC, not Social Services and I would imagine the OP HAS seen something or he wouldn't be concerned
ButterflyMoon Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Child Protection is a huge issue not just in this country. The OP obviously has enough concerns to justify having someone look into this child's welfare. That for me speaks volumes. Better speaking out and potentially saving a life or suffering. If the concerns are unfounded then no harm is done. On the otherhand a child will be saved. It is never as easy decision to make when being in this situation and unless you have walked in the OP's shoes you cannot judge. Obviously SOMETHING has made the OP concerned. Better safe than sorry I reckon.
silver Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 It would see that your government cannot get it right, so what make you think the OP is in a better position to interfere? And here we go again....of course Baby P was a dreadful case, but is that any reason to not help a child that you think is in danger. I'm sure I could turn up any number of similar cases in the USA Are you really advocating that a child should be left to possibly suffer Or just
RingOfFlame Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 I am sure you could. My point is that the OP has given no information so no one can really make a judgment on whether or or not they are in a position to intervene. If they have witnessed abuse / violence then yes they should report it. But if the OP is making a decision based on something else, shouting or screaming through the walls for example then they should think very carefully before they start to interfere. So no I am not advocating that a child should be left to possibly suffer or trolling.
witch Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 If you read the OP, he wasn't asking us to make a 'judgement' about whether we felt that his concern was justified or not, merely where we thought the best place to take his concerns would be. Given that you are not in the UK, this would be a difficult question for you to answer, other than the generic 'the authorities', surely? Shouting and screaming is also classed as abuse anyway, and certainly should be investigated, even if it proves to be explainable
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