bit worried !!!

Mrsa_2

First of all sorry if this is in the wrong place. My worrie is one of my neigbours has a child who is 5 years old and in full time school her mum and dad leave to go to work at 8am (which dont get me wrong is a good thing) and the little child gets take to school by her gran (again nothing wrong) but they are only getting back in there houise and sometimes gone 11:30pm with the little child fast asleep still in her unifom from school,i can understand if it was every so offten but it is everyweek most nights, My sister has kids and they are in the bath at 6:45 and in bed by 7:30 at the latest every night, also i have been told there house is full of damp and there child has a really bad chest and there house is just not nice at all eg cat urine in the house and the smell hits you when you walk in,sink full of pots everytime my friend visits. I am just stuck as to what to do as i really do not think this is good for a child who is in school and should be in her own bed at a eariler time of 11:30pm. please do not shoot me down i just didnt know where to post this. Thanks in advance mrsa x

savingmummy

I think it needs reporting to social services - you can remain anon!
IF you are concerned for a child then it needs reporting it is better to be safe then sorry!
SO many people say don`t get involved or what if`s BUT i disagree

Being brought home late and unwashed (guessing if she isnt in pjs she has not been washed/bathed) is no good at all! It is a wonder the school hasnt picked up on this!

The house being damp and dirty is not on, it certainly sounds like something needs to be done.
Has your friend spoken with the parents? I am shocked noone has reported it beforehand!

You can also report it here http://www.nspcc.org.uk/help-and-advice/worried-about-a-child/the-nspcc-helpline/using-the-nspcc-helpline-hub_wdh72253.html

planemad

If you are unhappy then report it - you have the right and the social services provide this service for taking anon reports.

I personally do not get involved in other peoples business but i'm a very private person and would prob not even know if any of my neighbours were doing it as I take no notice of them.

OK sounds like they can make improvements but its their life and they feel thats OK - I would not say from what you are saying thats it neglect but i do not know the full circumstances.

Hundreds of thousands of children in this country live in poverty with dirty homes full of damp and smoking parents.
Child poverty is a big issue in this country with very little media coverage - most brits are more worried about what the Beckhams are doing and catching up with cleb TV trash to take any notice of the issues this country has.
Go with what your hearts tells you to do and you will not go wrong.:beer:

garethgas

I agree. I can't bear interfering busy bodies but if what you say is true (and I have no reason to doubt you) I'd be contacting SS as a matter of urgency.
Its instances like this that ring alarm bells for me, not the trivial nonsense you hear when people just like to interfere.
Strikes me as a case of neglect but I'm no expert.

ikati5

If the family are out from 08.30 til 11.30pm when do you want them to do the housework?? Should they leave their heating on all day and night to eliminate dampness?

What makes you think that this child is neglected?

Schools are very quick at reporting anything a bit unusual to be followed up, but go ahead, make sure you give your name and address though, so they can give you a full run down on the family to be printed online forthwith!

garethgas

Do you think that this is an acceptable way to raise and treat a child or are you just being flippant?

ikati5

Is there an acceptable way to raise a child in the eyes of everyone? If the family were on benefits and the house was immaculate and the child put to bed at 6.30pm, would that be any more acceptable than parents and grandparents being involved, both parents working and paying their way and the house being untidy??

I think people should live and let live and leave them alone! If there was a problem with the child's welfare the school have her in their care 35 hours a week, would they not have picked it up?

busiscoming2

I think you should report it and let the SS or NSPCC make the decision as to whether there is a problem or not. I personally couldn't live with myself if I thought a child was being neglected.