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Issue at respite centre (I'm a neighbour) v long, sorry.

52 replies

Connundrum · 19/05/2022 16:54

Just had the last (and worst) in a long long of issues. At the back of my house there's a path that leads up to a park. There are absolutely lots of kids out there all of the time.

On the other side of this path there's a respite and residential centre for children. They have a garden, then there's the path, then there's my garden.

There have always been things thrown over their fence so I put up a 6ft fence in my garden as we have had a few near misses.

Since the winter there has been a lad out there who is supposed to have 2-1 carers (I know this, and actually quite a lot about this lads situation as they talk very loudly when they do supervise him).

I put in a complaint once already because I know so much about his family situation, and the carers dim view of the family, and why, and the lad was out in all weather, snow rain etc, in shorts and tshirt, and the carers were sitting inside watching from the window.

Cut to today, the kids were on their bikes on the path, the lad said hi as he usually does when I'm out there supervising the kids, then he threw a metal knife over the fence that hit my dd and cut her.

I went up to the fence and shouted for his carers, who both came out, phones in hands, one with TikTok on, and told them what had happened and asked why they weren't supervising him, they told the lad off (not his fault at all) and apologised and said they were just sorting something out that's where they were.

I took dd in to sort her cut out, queue screaming from outside. I ran out and the kid was outside again, alone, and throwing multiple handfuls of quite large stones over the fence, hit quite a few of the kids including my 7yo dd, absolutely lots were launched over my fence into my garden.

I shouted for the carers again and they came out saying they couldn't deal with him today and they can't do anything about it and told him off again. He was throwing stones for a good 15 minutes before he decided to go in of his own accord.

Now I'm wondering if I should report again? It's not the kids fault so I don't want him to get into trouble. The problem isn't with this lad at all but with the lack of supervision he has.

I know the odd thing will happen but there are often instances like him being outside alone and older kids walking past and calling him the most awful names, to the point I go out and deal with them because the carers are nowhere to be seen.

The thought of my dcs being cooped up all summer because this poor lad is completely unsupervised and outside is filling me with dread.

I'm worried for my kids, and I'm worried for him.

Is there someone I should be reporting to (I'm in scotland) I don't think I want to report to the centre itself again because I don't want anyone to take it out on the lad either, and, to be totally honest, I have no faith in them at all.

OP posts:
Sittininafield · 19/05/2022 16:57

I think I’d be phoning the police if someone threw a knife at my dcs.

FionnulaTheCooler · 19/05/2022 17:00

Report them to the Care Inspectorate www.careinspectorate.com/.

Not only should you be able to enjoy your garden safely without fear of flying missiles, they are seriously letting this child down with incidents like leaving him open to verbal abuse, they need to be reported for his safety as well as your DCs.

MayBeee · 19/05/2022 17:00

Could they fit a higher net over the top of your fence ?
Also if you are only communicating with the carers , and they are obviously not doing their jobs properly , try contacting the owner / manager and asking for an official meeting. If that fails , then the place will have to follow Ofsted / local council regulations , contact them / if still no resolution , your local UP .

FlibbertyGiblets · 19/05/2022 17:01

Sittininafield · 19/05/2022 16:57

I think I’d be phoning the police if someone threw a knife at my dcs.

yes, me too. I am so sorry for everyone in this situation, of course I am, but a blade thrown by a neighbour injured your daughter Sad

LIZS · 19/05/2022 17:04

Is it council run, or contracted out by them? If so call their Safeguarding team and/or that of the organisation operating it. Either the level of supervision is not adequate or the setting inappropriate. They are failing him as much as the children being hurt. How old is the lad?

Pieceofpurplesky · 19/05/2022 17:07

He threw a knife. Had it been a sharper knife it could have killer someone. Please report this.

ItisallPooh · 19/05/2022 17:07

I would be calling the police too. This does not sound safe for anyone. The child is clearly not being supervised properly and why on earth do they have knives in an accessible place if he is likely to behave in this manner. Anyone walking past could be injured too. It is just luck that your children weren't more badly injured by the knife and stones. I wouldn't chance it happening again. Those carers don't sound like they care at all.

IncompleteSenten · 19/05/2022 17:09

You need to call the police.
This boy is being hugely failed and neglected.
The home needs to be investigated.

lljkk · 19/05/2022 17:10

knife?!! How did he get hands on a knife? How old is he, anyway?

Connundrum · 19/05/2022 17:11

It was a kitchen knife, sort of like a steak knife but not quite as sharp, I don't think I'll be calling the police, the lad, who is probably about 10, isnt at fault at all, but I will be reporting this for his safety as well, if he hadn't thrown it then goodness knows what he could have done to himself.

I'm not sure who runs the place, the last time I complained it was just to their own email address, I'll see if I can find out online.

OP posts:
OuiWeeOui · 19/05/2022 17:11

Call the police and social services
It's a failure on all levels.

Connundrum · 19/05/2022 17:13

Would the police investigate the place rather than getting the lad into trouble? I don't want him being shouted at or scared at all which was why I didn't want to call the police, but if it would benefit him rather than get him onto trouble maybe I will.

OP posts:
Connundrum · 19/05/2022 17:14

Social services. Of course. I'll email them right now and find out who runs it and report through the appropriate channels.

OP posts:
LIZS · 19/05/2022 17:14

It will also be inspected by Ofsted. If you ring them they will know who operates it.

WoolyMammoth55 · 19/05/2022 17:18

Hi OP, yes please do call the police - not for drama, or to be unkind, not to pursue any action against the boy, but to pursue some sort of action on their side against the home and owners.

He found a kitchen knife and threw it and injured someone. That's about as bad as failure to adequately supervise a 10 year old can possibly get.

The police need to ask some questions about how this happened and make sure it doesn't happen again. Someone is making money off his so-called "care", and that's a scandal. An email won't cut it - plus you and your kids are in on-going danger.

Don't minimise this. You calling the police will do the boy a favour in the long term. Best of luck.

wizzler · 19/05/2022 17:20

I suggest the LADO from a safeguarding viewpoint

DisgruntledPelican · 19/05/2022 17:22

LIZS · 19/05/2022 17:14

It will also be inspected by Ofsted. If you ring them they will know who operates it.

Care Inspectorate in Scotland.

the CI website has details of all registered care services @Connundrum - you can find out details there by postcode.

hedwigismyowl · 19/05/2022 17:24

Phone the police. Apart from anything else, it's a safeguarding issue and not safe for the lad.

SergeiL · 19/05/2022 17:25

Yes I was going to suggest LADO

This sounds awful. And bless you for being so patient and understanding, and trying to help thus far.

mowglika · 19/05/2022 17:27

Why would you not call the police? My parents had similar issues with a children’s residential next door to them and the police were frequently called out, not just by us but also by the centre themselves. I may have missed this but how is it not the lads fault btw?

LookItsMeAgain · 19/05/2022 17:28

Sittininafield · 19/05/2022 16:57

I think I’d be phoning the police if someone threw a knife at my dcs.

This.

Definitely this first.

Then contact the care home manager (not his carers as they are showing themselves to be as useless as an ashtray on a motorbike) and report that one of their residents is assaulting your children by throwing missiles (as that is what the rocks and knife were once they left his hand) at your children and ask what they are going to do about it. I'd also mention to the care home manager that this is not the first time this has happened but it is the first time that your children have been harmed by him and you want it stopped.
Why was he out unattended? Why wasn't there at least one of his two carers with him? If they are shirking their responsibility, they need to be reprimanded.

Connundrum · 19/05/2022 17:28

OK it's council run, I've emailed social services for my area, I'll call to follow up tomorrow and am just about to call the non emergency police, I was just really worried about the lad feeling like he is in trouble, but I never thought a report could possibly help him and his situation

From what I've overheard the parents have moved out of the area and don't see the lad often (they have been the subject of much wrath from the carers) so they won't have a clue what things are like for the poor wee guy.

I'll email the council tomorrow and report using that link upthread also.

I won't email the actual centre itself, although I will forward that complaint onto the relevant people tomorrow as well to prove there's been ongoing issues with his care.

OP posts:
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 19/05/2022 17:28

I think if someone threw a knife at my dc and injured them, I would be reporting to the police too. I don't think he will be in trouble, but someone who should be supervising him would be, I assume.

Connundrum · 19/05/2022 17:33

Its not the lads fault as he has a few conditions (also overheard) I won't name them here as I would hate the parents to be on here and recognise their child, I also know what meds he is on, his parents names, siblings names, where they moved to etc as there have been many loud discussions.

He lives in the centre as he needs 2 to 1 care constantly and they are supposed to be providing that, but they don't a fair bit of the time.

OP posts:
SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 19/05/2022 17:33

@mowglika If the boy has 2-1 carers, he must have fairly profound disabilities. That’s why it’s not his fault.