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Original poster

Missed call from council

12 replies

Keytochebakia · 17/04/2025 21:02

I suffer from severe anxiety so I might be overthinking this.

I have got a missed call at 5:25, 5 mins before closing time, from my local council, no voicemail.

Has anyone ever had that? I moved to this new area three weeks ago, could it be related? I have a 3 year old who is very likely neurodivergent and he cries throughout the day, he can't talk and has a lot of meltdowns. I'm so scared neighbours might have heard him, thought he was being abused, and called social services.

Would they call from the general phone number or do they have a special number linked to their department?

Why would they call so late?

Thank you

OP posts:
Bingbangboo · 17/04/2025 21:16

I think its very unlikely. Unless you have had previous contact with social services, how would they have got your phone number? Do your new neighbours even know your names or contact details yet?

Can you think of any council service who may have a reason for having your phone number? Are you on the housing waiting list or anything like that? Have you applied for a council tax single person discount?

Where I live the health visitors are based in a council-owned building so when they dial out it shows as a council number. Could it be something like that?

Original poster
Keytochebakia · 17/04/2025 21:20

Bingbangboo · 17/04/2025 21:16

I think its very unlikely. Unless you have had previous contact with social services, how would they have got your phone number? Do your new neighbours even know your names or contact details yet?

Can you think of any council service who may have a reason for having your phone number? Are you on the housing waiting list or anything like that? Have you applied for a council tax single person discount?

Where I live the health visitors are based in a council-owned building so when they dial out it shows as a council number. Could it be something like that?

Thank you for your reply.

I am in a neighbour groupchat on Whatsapp so they have my phone number, the landlord also introduced me by my name.

I can't think of any service that would have my phone number, I registered for council tax but I can't remember if I only gave them my email address or if i gave them my phone number too.

I haven't registered with the GP yet, only doctor that has my phone number is a private clinic for an autism assessment next month.

When I look up the number, it says it's linked to the council's covid track and trace.

OP posts:
LittleGreenDragons · 17/04/2025 21:22

If you have recently moved my thoughts would be either council tax, council tax single exemption, housing benefits if you are renting, or even electoral role eligibility especially for voting this coming May.

Social Services wouldn't even make the list.

Original poster
Keytochebakia · 17/04/2025 21:24

LittleGreenDragons · 17/04/2025 21:22

If you have recently moved my thoughts would be either council tax, council tax single exemption, housing benefits if you are renting, or even electoral role eligibility especially for voting this coming May.

Social Services wouldn't even make the list.

Thank you, that gives me some peace of mind. I did apply for UC - could that be linked to housing benefits?

OP posts:
BlondeMummyto1 · 17/04/2025 21:32

It will either be a call to check you’re settling in - They do a home visit if you’re a new tenant in my area

OR you have outstanding rent/council tax. Are they paid up to date?

Original poster
Keytochebakia · 17/04/2025 21:48

BlondeMummyto1 · 17/04/2025 21:32

It will either be a call to check you’re settling in - They do a home visit if you’re a new tenant in my area

OR you have outstanding rent/council tax. Are they paid up to date?

Thank you for your reply.

I haven't paid council tax yet but I looked up the departments for council tax and housing benefit and they both close at 5pm.

Social services close at 5:30pm and I got the call at 5:23pm.

I am so scared as I have had them involved because of an offense that their dad committed in the past (he can't see them anymore and they deemed me a protective factor).
and I am so worried that they got a complaint, will think I'm an unfit mother for them getting involved again, and take them away.

It was very difficult, I just got out of that, and moved far away for a fresh start.

OP posts:
Gundogday · 17/04/2025 21:49

I wouldn’t worry. If it’s important, they’ll phone back. I also think It’s unlikely to be the worst case scenario you’re envisaging.

LittleGreenDragons · 17/04/2025 21:57

Keytochebakia · 17/04/2025 21:24

Thank you, that gives me some peace of mind. I did apply for UC - could that be linked to housing benefits?

Show quote history

I googled it. You used to apply for housing benefit through the council but housing benefit is being replaced by UC so I don't know if it's still council or DWP.

As pp said, if it's important they will call back.

Edit - if they know your background they could just be checking in to see if you are okay.

TheGriffle · 17/04/2025 22:16

Just because the service closes at 5 doesn’t mean staff won’t be working past that time, it’s normally just the time the phone lines go off.

TennesseeStella · 17/04/2025 22:19

Anyone calling from the Council for an important reason would have left you a message.
The most likely explanation is that the Council's old track and trace phone number has been reassigned and you got a spam call.

BlondeMummyto1 · 17/04/2025 22:23

Don’t worry. It’s likely just to check how the house is.

Original poster
Keytochebakia · 17/04/2025 22:26

TennesseeStella · 17/04/2025 22:19

Anyone calling from the Council for an important reason would have left you a message.
The most likely explanation is that the Council's old track and trace phone number has been reassigned and you got a spam call.

I really hope so!

I called back the number and it rings for one second and hangs up, no message

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