Social Services or not?

[UnsureWhatToDo1]

I know I'm more sensitive to sights I see than some, so I want to run this past people first. I'll change some details so it isn't obvious if they ever read this.

DS recently brought a few games off of eBay. The person we brought off of lives very close, you could literally walk, so i thought it would be easier to collect. They wasn't too happy about that, but agreed.

When we arrived, it was dirty, very dirty. There was a little boy, maybe 2/3 asleep on a mattress from a toy cot or something on the kitchen floor, which was right next to the cat litter tray, which was scratching at the litter causing a few bits to go on to the mattress thing. The partner of this woman tripped over a baby (who was around 7 months) and he/she (couldn't actually tell) was crying and he didn't bother to even turn around to check. I asked if they were okay (to the woman about the baby) and she was just said yes and quickly shut the living room door, so I could no longer see the baby. It was all odd...

I just don't know if it's something you would report?? Tia

[Beth2511]

Report it!

[Fourormore]

I would report that, yes.

[Oysterbabe]

Of course report it. They're probably already on their radar.

[sepa]

I would report it!

[FutureGadgetsLab]

I'd say report it, although I feel uncomfortable saying that. It does sound worrying though.

[MintJulip]

yes without a doubt.

would ss get round their urgently or I wonder do you also call the police> to remedy the immediate issues with the baby next to cat shit tray>

[yorkshapudding]

If the home conditions were dirty/cluttered enough to potentially pose a risk to the children's health then, yes, it should be reported.

[MintJulip]

I cant think of any reason, why a toddler would need to be asleep next to a cat litter tray on a mattress.

[MintJulip]

who would lovingly place their dc there?

[ForeverLivingMyArse]

Nobody, but it's not a police matter.

Phone SS, absolutely.

[yorkshapudding]

would ss get round their urgently or I wonder do you also call the police> to remedy the immediate issues with the baby next to cat shit tray>

The police would just refer to social care anyway. Also, as someone who works with children and has cause to make regular referrals to SS, a child being in close proximity to a cats little tray would not come close to being classed as an emergency. They will investigate but they won't be rushing straight round there with blue flashing lights or anything.

[FutureGadgetsLab]

The police won't come to remove a shitty tray. It's a SS issue.

[yorkshapudding]

Sorry that wasn't very clear. I meant SS will investigate but won't class it as an emergency. The police would just pass it onto SS as its a social care issue not a police matter.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Yes SS, looks like neglect .

[PerpendicularVincent]

Definitely report it

[JellyBellyKelly]

As the mother of a child removed from their birth parents for neglect... Yes, please report.

[JellyBellyKelly]

due to neglect, I should have written.

[Kruckshany]

Report and give as many details as possible. SS in some areas will only go to dire cases. The more info you can give the better. The children sound young enough to be in no formal education yet and so neglect wouldn't necessarily be picked up elsewhere.

[Afreshstartplease]

I would report

Poor baby

[MrsSeanBean]

My advice would be always go with your gut instinct: report and leave it to SS to take further if need be.

[apple1992]

I would report. Can't do any harm but might do a whole lot of good.

[Fabbyshopper]

I think you should definitely report this to social services. This is neglect. Those children's needs are not being met.

You can make a referral to Children's Services anonymously. It will still be reviewed in the same way.

I suspect they maybe known to services already as the woman was keen to stop you seeing in the house, so information about the current conditions will be relevant.

[Ilovewillow]

I would report it, they may already be under the care of SS but you wouldn't forgive yourself if something big terrible happened.