Aibu to feel very sorry for Ben & Marina Fogle who were wrongly reported to social services by a neighbour

But that isn’t for you to judge. How could SS possibly know what is malicious and what is genuine if they don’t investigate? It’s not SS’ fault that someone has made a malicious report, the blame lies with the reporter.

I don't think SS visited the home because of one report of shouting.

There are limitations on DSARs and significant exceptions for very good reasons for health, education and social care.

My friend has just been investigated by SS after accusations of leaving her children to cry.

The truth is that although her care for them falls far short of needing SS to intervene, she speaks to them in narky tones, and she juggles their needs around her work. I can well see how a snapshot of her care wouldn't present her in a good light, and that a report wouldn't necessarily be malicious.

They asked how the child got a certain bruise... she said she didn't know. It was a 9yo child who played Rugby and football, went to school etc... it was an entirely accurate answer! It wasn't the injury they were there for.

But that's the point isn't it? Innocent parents will be investigated as well as guilty ones... to find the guilty ones.

Some middle class people seem to think that child safeguarding doesn’t apply to them. Child abuse happens regardless of class and all reports should be followed up by SS.

Well of course, why on earth would they prebook an appointment to visit a family where there are suspicions of abuse? Can’t you see that asking them to come back another time would look like you had something to hide?

You are being unreasonable for reading that rag, let alone shoving links to it on here.

Who

I had to take my toddler to A&E with a head injury. They asked lots of questions clearly designed to assess how plausible my explanation was, which I found reassuring.

If mother was unable to give satisfactory answers, what should the doctor have done?

You can see why they need to address it then and there, right? I mean going away and coming back at your convenience? What if something terrible was happening/happened?

My vexatious neighbours reported me repeatedly and we were investigated. I was surprised as it was obvious nonsense. The neighbours were constantly fighting and there was severe DV as well, the Police never looked into any of this. I think they like cases they can create, tick off and close down instantly as it reduced the 'case times' and makes the stats look better.

It was a malicious report and they were away on holiday at the time it was supposed to have happened.

I have dealt with a malicious SS call. SS did not deal with it at all sensitively. Turned up unannounced in the middle of the day and insisted on entering and getting responses there and then. We subsequently made a DSAR request which was strongly resisted. I understand the need to follow up reports carefully but sensitivity and training appear to be missing from this process.

They wrote a personal piece

Why is that 'anecdotal'? What's wrong with that? Many articles are and still interesting

What I found interesting that the Fogles provided proof they were away but still the SWs stayed to chat and observe.

Surely they had more pressing cases?

Friends of is out a few months of hell with SS after a doctor reported a "suspicious" injury. I'm not sure if it was exactly malicious... but it was definitely a miscommunication when the (non English) mother misunderstood a question.

But... there is either a system where people report suspicions, even if they turn out to be unfounded... or there isn't. Because until there is an investigation, all it is is a suspicion.

There’s also the case of that mad insta-mum in the US, Ruby Franke, who has recently gone to prison for horrible abuse against her kids- plenty of people liked her. Until they didn’t.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/20/ruby-franke-youtube-vlogger-prison-child-abuse

Look you can’t have it both ways. I’ve not read the daily heil for obvious reasons but I have followed the KA story. People are rightly appalled when there are cases like baby P etc where children are horribly abused and it’s missed by social services but equally appalled when naice middle class people have to have one conversion with social services. I’d obviously hate being on the receiving end of a complaint but better for people to report, social services to investigate and close the case than for people not to report at all. Obviously if the report is malicious that’s different, but I imagine social services will quite rightly be slow to assume this as, well, that’s exactly what someone who’s abusing their kids would say.

But that's the case for all malicious calls. It can't just be assumed a case is malicious because the dad of the family is rich and famous and ignored.

Sadly, abuse happens in families of all socio-economic backgrounds

Quite. It’s news because beautiful Insta-worthy Marina and famous Ben wrote a piece for the Times about it. It’s total puffery and I wish journalism was better. Neither The Times nor the Mail has any real information or opinion about SS referrals - just anecdotal information from celebs.

Celebrities will write anything if they get paid.
Any little drama that us plebs have to cope with is a welcome income stream for them.

People.make malicious calls to SS all the time. I haven't read the article, but if this was a malicious referral and case closed then that's just the system working as it should.

I don't think anyone should be protected from SS involvement just because they are famous and some people think they 'really like' them based on the fact they enjoy their TV programmes and like their public persona.

I've had dealings with SS recently , twice by me once by HT. Absolutely dreadful 2 phone calls. Not even one visit.
Currently complaining.