to call SS?

[CharleyFarleyy]

Im unsure whether calling would be the right thing to do, would love other people opinions on this...

Basically my sister has gotton in touch with an estranged family member that we have not been in contact with for years. This family member "paula" was cut off from the family due to drug use and her abusive partner (hard drugs and the partner was not only abusive to her but also to members of our family abd we tried many many many times to help her). Upon getting back in touch with her my sister has found that she is still with said partner, now has 6 children but one has been taken off her by SS. There are no carpets, wallpaper or curtains/blinds at all in the house, all 5 kids share one single bed and evidence of drug use in the house.

AIBU to call SS? would there be any point in calling? would she already be on there radar do you think?

[TheoriginalLEM]

if she already has one child in care she will definitely be on the radar.

[redexpat]

Has your sister seen the house first hand? If so then yes she should call. They are almost certainly known to ss but the situation could have changed since her last meeting with ss.

[ditavonteesed]

she will probably be on the radar, but I would still call, its all pieces of a jigsaw and the more people who look out for every child in the world the safer they are.

[ilovechristmas1]

report

[Welshmaenad]

They will be on the radar but it's worth contacting them with concerns if these conditions have been seen first hand.

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Agree with others - report

[base9]

If your sister has seen what you described: yes, she should report that.

[Thetreeonthemountaintop]

She should definitely report. If this family member has moved about SS may have lost track of her. Or she may have got 'lost' in the system. Definitely report.

[Babymamaroon]

One single bed for 5 children is downright neglect. Please follow your instinct OP and call both SS and the NSPCC. Those poor children need you to be their voice.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

Yes report it, it's better that SS receives a duplicate report than none made at all iyswim.

[cashewnutty]

I am a SW and i would say she should pass on her concerns. Social workers don't have crystal balls and need hard information to work with.

[ghostspirit]

yes i would report. but how do 5 children fit in a single bed? and if the house/sleeping arrangements are as said then maybe ss have not been about for a while

[CupidStuntSurvivor]

It's worth a duplicate report if it could keep the children safe.

[WhataMistakeaToMakea]

Another sw here telling you/her to report. If it's nothing then nothing will happen. If it's something then they can help. If it's already known then it doesn't hurt to have another record of concern.

[GobbolinoCat]

can I ask why you wouldn't call? what about the things in your OP make it OK?

I would call like a flash. 5 dc in one single bed

[AngelWings74]

I'm surprised you are asking this, those children need somebody to look out for them! You must report. Yes maybe they are on radar but I would be surprised that a social worker would have left them in that home with evidence of drug use and neglect!!