at a loss how to advise a friend

meritaten

a friend of mine asked WWYD?
and I really don't know - need some opinions.
the situation is, is that she moved recently and one of her neighbours is a guy she knew from way back - twenty years ago or a bit more. the thing is, he pretends he doesn't know her, his name is different and he is married to a different woman (recent marriage).
this wouldn't bother her, but, they are fostering kids and she knows he has a criminal conviction under his real name.
she doesn't know whether to inform police or SS, and tbh I simply cant decide whether to tell her to inform them................if she HAS made a mistake then this family will be torn apart for nothing, but if she is right - and she swears she knew him very well and it IS the same guy, then the foster kids are at risk.
I have done a search on ancestry and other sites and tbh - the name he is using seems bogus - I cannot find any records other than electoral roll and his marriage to his latest partner. the name my friend says is his real name - checks out, but nothing after the time my friend says he 'disappeared' from that area.
I really don't know how to proceed now - advice please?

whitewing

She should report him but explain that she can't be absolutely certain.

ETA: Ring 101 and take advice on the police non-emergency number.

hieveryone

What is the conviction for?

HurdyGurdy

I think she should inform SS and let them do their own investigations. It is better for them to investigate "nothing", than not investigate "something".

whodathunkit

Having a criminal conviction is no barrier to fostering, unless it's for a crime against children or a sex pffence. Unless this is the case she should mind her own business, as should you.

"Will a police record stop me from fostering?
Not necessarily. The law states that the only criminal convictions that prevent people from fostering are those that relate to an offence against children or a sexual offence. Minor offences should not count against you in your application to foster. All criminal convictions will need to be disclosed when you first apply to foster as the application process to become a foster carer includes an enhanced criminal record bureau check."

The Fostering Network

whitewing

She has already stated if it is the same person then the children are at risk.

freebiequennie

I think she should inform ss they will investigate if more people acted on information they have less children would end up in horrific situations our role as members of public is to report concerns we have and its that agencies responsibility to take appropriate action whether that be document concerns or immediate investigation.

arbroath_lass

She should call SS. He's either told them and been cleared or lied. Either way that is what SS are there for - to protect the children.

Errata

whitewing wrote: »

She has already stated if it is the same person then the children are at risk.

At risk of what?

skylight

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

I think she should inform SS and let them do their own investigations. It is better for them to investigate "nothing", than not investigate "something".

Ditto.
The kids welfare is very important - they are already vulnerable as they are in care adn the right people need to be looking after them. If there is nothing to investigate, then SS will find nothing but your friend needs to be completely honest with SS and what she knows in case there is something for SS to find.

arbroath_lass

Of course the neighbour will know who called them.