Referral to child protection with very little ground... shocked, confused, indignant and sad. Has anyone else had the same???

[ShePersisted]

Our long time nursery (or someone on staff there) reported a welfare concern regarding our older girl to child protection. Their claimis that she was 1, wearing a long sleeved top on a hot day; 2, hadn't had her hair neatly done; and 3, after sticking her hands down her knickers was complaining that they then smelt of poo. They never spoke to us about it (after 3 years of our daughter attending the nursery) and we're now stuck waiting for the outcome of a police record search over the weekend before the matter can be put to rest. All these things aren't ideal but they don't strike me as welfare/ protection issues and I'm just FUMING. 

A few comments on the "incident": 1, the referral claims it happened on Wednesday the 14 of June; there's no such date in 2017 and my daughter doesn't go into nurseries on Wednesdays. 2, she is always sent with a change of clothes including a short sleeved top that they could have put her into if they were concerned. 3, I'm just not surprised at either a toddler sticking her hands down her knickers or that, after doing so her hands would smell. 

I feel so unjustly singled out for really very minor and cosmetic offenses. Has anyone else had this? I feel as though after such a long and good relationship with the setting they are doubting my ability and / or good will as a parent. Most of all, I'm shocked that they wouldn't come to me directly with this or at least in parallel with lodging the referral. If there were any concerns, a quiet and quick word would have totally done the trick (mortifying as it would be.) 

My girl is a September baby and so she has a whole year to go at the nursery before school. Weve been otherwise so happy there that my younger girl is about to start in September and was meant to do three years there, too. But, considering this breakdown of the trust relationship... well I'm just not at all sure if I can see doing that. 

A couple of other points to add: the date of the incident was parent teacher night so I am doubly surprised they wouldn't have mentioned anything then (to the contrary we got glowing reviews that our girl could write her name already, etc) and the week that followed we had a home visit with the nursery head in advance of our youngest starting; again, nothing mentioned. 

I don't know what to think and I'm driving myself a bit mad with worry about it... what do others think????

[Afreshstartplease]

If that is honestly all the reported you for I'm surprised it's even being looked at TBH

[ShePersisted]

Me too, I just don't get it!

[AssassinatedBeauty]

Unless there's more to it than they've told you, that's not anything to report. Amazed that the police are even looking in to anything. I'd be handing in notice to the nursery and finding another setting as there's no way I'd trust them to be reasonable now.

[feathermucker]

There is a Wednesday 14th June though. My sons birthday was Tuesday 13th June.

[Rioja123]

There is a Wed 14 June

[ShePersisted]

Ah, right, sorry -- issue was that wouldn't have been there.

[Whosthemummynow]

the referral claims it happened on Wednesday the 14 of June; there's no such date in 2017

Yes there is.

[ShePersisted]

Right, sorry that was my mistake. the date exists, she was just not there on that date.

[Lindy2]

It does sound odd. Generally unless it is deemed to be too risky, any concerns should initially be discussed with parents.

[ShePersisted]

I cannot imagine why they'd think it risky to talk to us. Like I said, we had 2 one on ones that week alone. It's so perplexing.

[AddictedToDrPepper]

Is it at all possible they have your DD confused with another child?

I'm not sure where you are but here in scotland they need to tell you if they're going to refer you. Also, why would there be a police check done? Normally the social work come and visit you/speak to you and depending on your childs age speak to them...

[AddictedToDrPepper]

Also, why are your child's hands being smelled?

[Owl1011]

Can you sit down with the nursery to discuss your concerns with them? The staff might need a refresher in child protection training and what actually constitutes reporting a concern.

[MargoChanning]

How very odd. No wonder you have lost trust in them. Id be furious but best thing is to remain calm. You have done nothing wrong and im sure the police/ss will accept that if they speak to you directly.

[ShePersisted]

This is the first time anything like this has happened to me plus I'm from Canada originally, so I'm not very familiar with the system. It seems that once a nursery launches a low risk referral, they then take 72 hours to run police record checks (which in our case will turn up nothing). I think if it were higher risk concerns we'd have social services at our door within 24 hours. I think they were smelling her because she'd said she smelled. So I guess the worry is that she's being neglected???? I just can't see how they'd think that! She's adored and very well looked after.

[Afreshstartplease]

You don't need to make the effort to smell a child who smells from neglect. You notice it!

[ShePersisted]

After the referral is closed I plan to sit down with the nursery head to discuss together with DH. I have to at least understand what their perspective was and if I can trust them anymore.

[GreenTulips]

A few years ago DS had an accident at home - we had a call from SS - voicemail to check if things were ok - and for us to call if not! I didn't ring and they never called back - so I wouldn't be overly concerned

[MusicForTheJiltedGeneration]

This really really does not sound right

There's nowhere near enough grounds to refer to SS.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

It's considered good practise to discuss referrals with the care givers/parents prior to making them unless doing so would place the child at risk of further harm.

However it's quite usual for it to be done covertly with no good reason.

having worked within children's services for ages (do not work for them now but I do work with them) I would not be surprised if the staff member who made the report (assuming what you have said is all that is in it) had recently been on a course.

If the info you have given is correct I would not be sending my younger child and when this referral results in a confused social worker wondering what the Jeff she is doing bothering and closes the situation I would also be removing my other child.

[AmberR12]

None of these are risks and I'm surprised this is even being looked into tbh unless there is more to this story

[ShePersisted]

I can't think of anything that would raise flags for them. Which is why I'm so confused and, frankly, sad.