Not just a noisy neighbour

minimoneysaver

What would you do in this situation? I have a neighbour who I don't really know well at all. She recently started fostering children and has had a girl with her for probably six months now. The young girl that she is fostering has various mental and behavioural problems and attends a special school to cater for her needs. All was going okay until recently. Myself and the other neighbours have have heard the foster mother screaming profanities at the young girl, which can go on for quite a long while, we know it is aimed at the young girl as she calls her by name. This makes us all feel very uneasy. Obviously with the warm weather, windows have been open and groups of neighbours have been gathering in each others gardens, so it does make it easier to hear, but when you can hear these things up to three doors down???
Unfortunately it doesn't end there, she also had a dog, which she got as a puppy about three months ago. This dog defecates all over her front path and can be smelt by my front door and bark incessantly when she is out. Another issue I know, but can I do anything about it/her?

daska

Yes you can. You can ring Social Services and express your concerns. Ring your local council and ask to be put through to the adoption and fostering team or send them an e-mail. Don't expect them to discuss the child or the placement with you.

moneysaver12

I would ring social services. She shouldn't be treating her foster child like that.

ali-t

You have a duty to report the behaviour to social services. If she is shouting and screaming abuse at a child in her care, the Local Authority have a responsibility to the child and her family to foster her with appropriate people and this woman doesn't sound like an appropriate person. There are far too many people who foster for the money rather than for wanting to make a difference to children.

From a more optimistic perspective, it may be that the foster carer is struggling to cope and needs help. either way, the local authority should intervene.

meritaten

yes I would ring social services and if you know this childs name ask to be put through to her social worker and tell him/her what is happening. either this person isnt appropriate or needs more support and training or is completely out of thier depth dealing with this particular child. No child should be treated like this - especially one with complex needs.

pulliptears

its unfortunate that some foster carers do it for the money rather than the love. Please do report her. The poor child should not be subjected to that by anyone.

LJM

definately ring social services that poor child

Crisp_£_note

Phone Social Services / local fostering support at council. Document any further occurances and ask neighbours to do the same so there is multiple proof. Maybe even film or voice record the actions for evidence even if it cant be clear what is being said the 'volume' at which it is being subjected maybe enough.

Re the dog report it to the council and maybe the local dog warden as if its being neglected chances are the poor child is as well obviously!

Dont wait do it first thing Monday morning

daska

Why wait until Monday morning. There'll be a duty desk who will pass on the information to the appropriate people.

jackieglasgow

I was just about to say exactly the same thing. Thanks Daska!

Crisp_£_note

daska wrote: »

Why wait until Monday morning. There'll be a duty desk who will pass on the information to the appropriate people.

jackieglasgow wrote: »

I was just about to say exactly the same thing. Thanks Daska!

Sorry I was unaware of this in which case dont wait call now if you prefer, or first thing in the morning ~ but do call please!