Reporting to children's services

[Ellis989]

Hi all
Can anyone tell me what actually happens when a report is made anonymously about a family?

I don't want to give too much detail about my situation, but I'm becoming increasingly concerned about a family on my street. I suspect low level neglect of children, of which there are many, but mainly of emotional abuse from the father who I hear shouting really awful things to the children and occasionally threatening to hit them.

What I want to know is, if I call SS anonymously, I will need to give details that if passed onto the family will make it clear someone in close proximity has reported them. I also think the dad will be able to brush everything off with a cheery explanation on the phone - would they still visit? Dad is a v strange character and my observation is he switches from very aggressive to extremely loving towards the children. I don't know if a mum lives there. I don't want to take these kids away from potentially their only parent but don't feel I can be a bystander any longer. If anything happened to these kids I would feel responsible. What would the process be and would it make a difference?
Thanks

They can see the report that was made about them. Change the details so that it’s not obvious it’s you!

Thank you @WhenZoomWasJustAnIceLolly That's what I was concerned about. Perhaps I can do this. I have to live here and am nervous of this man as it is.

I would call SS first and explain that you’re thinking about reporting someone but want to know first if you can do it anonymously, don’t give them any details until they can assure you that your safety from this man is being considered as well. I’m not it’s not the first time they’ve had this concern on their hands and surely they must have some protocol for it.

Children won’t be removed on the basis of one report but if there are lots of reports then it helps to build a picture. Do report your concerns. I work in children’s services and by the time families get to me there have usually been multiple reports of concern by neighbours, teachers, family members etc.

Can you record the shouting as evidence?

You could frame it as the Dad needing more support.
He's obviously struggling at times, and might just need a little more help, access to services that he may not realise exist (eg play groups, respite care, extra resources, small grants, courses etc)

In answer to your question, I doubt they would do anything,

Can you say anymore of what type of neglect it is?

They have a legal right to see information held about them. It is shit, but the the protection of the children is so important.

Be factual in your report rather than speculative. “Children are dirty and wear inappropriate clothing for the conditions. Their clothing is also dirty and in poor condition/too small/torn.” Rather than “it looks like the children haven’t had a wash and aren’t cared for”.

Good luck.

Try calling the NSPCC helpline - they can offer advice about the best way to proceed.

Important to report even small concerns, as they can be another piece of the jigsaw that shows things aren't right.

Thank you @Aknifewith16blades I've just looked up the NSPCC helpline and that looks a great starting point. Presumably if I told them everything they would be able to advise how best to proceed and whether it was worth doing.

@BluebelllsRosesDaffodills Don't want to say too much tbh, there does appear to be some low level neglect eg inappropriate clothes for weather, several kids in nappies that look like have been on all day. There are I think 5 kids which I think includes twins so wonder if just too many to cope with.

My main concern is the shouting and the actual words used. One example "you are a stupid little fuckwit, I've had enough of seeing your face" bellowed very loudly. Many others but think along that level. Kids young but old enough to understand what is being said. Just really saddens me. I don't know if this is bad enough to be investigated. I'm sure NSPCC could advise. Thank you.

I reported my new neighbour, they live directly below me and it is obvious it was me. They had only been moved in a month and the mum constantly shouts and swears at her two young boys (2 and 6 years) . I'm a teacher and the day she called her son with global developmental delay "you are a fucking idiot", "you are such a fucking retard" was too much it was playing on my mind and I knew if I had heard that language being directed at a student at work I would report it using our safeguarding procedures so I reported to NSPCC, I'm fairly sure she has her own additional needs and requires support.

On the online NSPCC form I filled in exactly what I had heard and that the child was vulnerable with additional needs and I felt that the mum needed additional support, the boy is normal picked up in the morning by a bus and goes to a specialist school. Someone wrote back straight away for more information, were the children in inappropriate clothing, what were the conditions like in the house, did the mum abuse substances etc and they said that they were passing on the information to our county children's services.

When we report similar situations at school it is all collated to give a wider picture of the familys situation, children aren't taken off of their parents unless they are at significant harm and verbal abuse is unlikely to trigger that but parents may be offered additional support and parenting courses etc.