Child neglect? Advise please

gingbeard

Bit of a weird one this- not sure where to turn.

Our neighbour- young, single dad with a son who can't be more than two years old.

The child crys... A lot. I have no knowledge of children- I have only ever heard that kids cry lots.. But this is more than lots in my opinion.
It doesn't help that the child is often shouted at and told to "shut up" when crying..

Twice now (that i know of) this month the child has been crying and has been ignored.
One occasion the father had friends over the previous night, the child cried at his bedroom door for around 20mins before the father was woken up by his girlfriend.

As I write this- the child is shut in a room crying his head off, really screaming the house down.. Has been for around 30mins- the dad... Downstairs/outside with friends with the music turned up.

The loud music is a regular thing and often goes on late into the night- which can't be good for the child?

Again- I know nothing about children, but surely this isnt normal?

Advise?

Firefly

Report your concerns to Social Services please. It will be for them to investigate. This way you may be able to change the outcome for this child.

msb5262

Hi OP,

Please please report this to Social Services. It isn't normal and it isn't right, whether it comes from deliberate unkindness or from poor understanding of parenting. The father clearly needs help and a child that age is easily damaged, both physically and emotionally.

You only need to tell SS exactly what you have heard/observed and they should be concerned without your having to spell out that you are worried that the child is being neglected or abused.

With any luck, the situation will be swiftly investigated and both parent and child will get help/support to change things.

Please don't hesitate and wonder if you're doing the right thing. It's too easy for everyone to do that, then families fall through the net and nothing is done until it's too late.

Best wishes

MsB

whitewing

If someone who doesn't know much about children is concerned enough to come online to ask what to do, then I would definitely say it needs reporting.

poet123

Please report this, if you are uncomfortable with this there is a problem.

McKneff

~Got to agree with everyone else, voice your concerns to someone who can do something about it.

SOON, this poor baby is being mentally abused at least.

ZsaZsa

If it helps to know, you can phone social services anonomously to let them know your concerns and talk over the things you've mentioned here

busiscoming2

Yep, contact SS. You are right to be concerned. Do you know where mum is?

meritaten

Yes - I think you should report your concerns too.

kittycat204

I agree with all above.

Savvy_Sue

And before you ask, find your local council's website and go to the links for Children and Young People, mine has a link about Child Health and Welfare which tells you how to express concern about a child.