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AIBU?

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Original poster

To alert LA/School/Social Services

140 replies

Usedphone · 14/02/2025 15:40

Yesterday while I was doing the school run I witnessed a dad shouting horribly (and horrible things) to a poor little boy. You could hear the boy screaming from a block away. I was in a rush, and really didn't want to confront this angry man, so just kept walking with my son.

Today, I saw the same boy (I didn't see him yesterday, only heard him) but he had the most horrible black eye and the rest of his face was incredibly swollen.

I'm sure both are connected but I have no evidence. Who can I alert about this?

OP posts:
tearsandtiaras · 14/02/2025 16:43

Contact out of hours at your local authority Childrens social care. Report now

If you can't find it call nspcc and report

caramac04 · 14/02/2025 16:43

Agree with PP. MASH team will contact school DSL. Hopefully school have already contacted Social Care but may be gathering evidence. What you witnessed will help.

OutIsay · 14/02/2025 16:40

Google MASH team and the area you are in. There should be a number for the general public. Give them all the info you have. They will have the contact of the DSL in school.

LavenderFields7 · 14/02/2025 16:40

Yes please please report to safeguarding lead at the school 🙏

Original poster
Usedphone · 14/02/2025 16:37

Usedphone · 14/02/2025 16:34

Just called the school no answer (left a message)

Show quote history

Also I know his first name not surname so would be difficult to ask the police to do a welfare check

OP posts:
Original poster
Usedphone · 14/02/2025 16:34

TuesdayRubies · 14/02/2025 16:32

And I agree as it's coming up to the weekend, I'd ring the police and ask them to do a welfare check. Especially if you cannot get hold of the school.

Just called the school no answer (left a message)

OP posts:
TuesdayRubies · 14/02/2025 16:32

And I agree as it's coming up to the weekend, I'd ring the police and ask them to do a welfare check. Especially if you cannot get hold of the school.

TuesdayRubies · 14/02/2025 16:31

PLEASE call the school and SS now OP. Please do not delay

DaisyChain505 · 14/02/2025 16:18

Yes yes yes a hundred times over report what you heard or saw.

One of the contributing reasons we see the awful stories in the news about children slipping through the net when being abused is because people didn’t report small parts of the puzzle that would have added up to be a huge horrific picture.

Jellycatspyjamas · 14/02/2025 16:16

I’d flag to the school and to social services, they’ll be able to find him through the school and it means there’s a net if the school by chance don’t report to social services. Given it’s coming up to the weekend speaking to the police wouldn’t hurt either because they can check on him more quickly than school or social work.

Original poster
Usedphone · 14/02/2025 16:12

Hibernatingtilspring · 14/02/2025 15:49

You could try school, though if theres no way of identifying the child you would need to report to the police. Social services wouldn't be able to investigate to find out who the child was if unknown but the police could (not guaranteed it would be successful but they have more options than SS)

I know his name and year, he went to nursery with my DS.

OP posts:
TotallyAddictedToCoffee · 14/02/2025 16:07

I once witnessed a man assaulting his son in the car behind me while we were stopped at traffic lights - I reported it online to the police and rang the school (I knew the school from the jumper the boy was wearing) and told them, they knew who I meant sadly

The police went to the school and had a meeting with the Head and the boys parents - I've no idea the outcome but I'm glad I reported it

You have nothing to lose by reporting it @Usedphone

Hibernatingtilspring · 14/02/2025 15:49

You could try school, though if theres no way of identifying the child you would need to report to the police. Social services wouldn't be able to investigate to find out who the child was if unknown but the police could (not guaranteed it would be successful but they have more options than SS)

FrogOfFrogHall · 14/02/2025 15:45

Do you know who they are? If not do you know what school the boy attends? If you do I think I'd report to the school, if you say about the bruising you've seen they stand a better chance of being able to identify who he is for safeguarding.
It doesn't matter that you don't have evidence, it's for the authorities to investigate just be truthful about what you have seen and heard.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 14/02/2025 15:43

Speak to the school
They should already have concerns about the bruising
You overhearing the yelling will add to their concerns