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Can I report my friend's treatment of their foster child?

223 replies

Diddybeans4 · 16/06/2026 23:50

My friend and her husband registered to become foster carers last year. Since then they have had a teenage boy living with them. By all accounts he's doing really well and has massively improved since living with them.

They recently took on a second placement. This one is a girl. She has some mild learning difficulties and behavioural problems. I don't know exactly what she is diagnosed with.

I went round for a coffee the other day. The girl interrupted us whilst we were talking and started to kick off over something minor. My friends reaction to this was to shout (full in the girls face) and tell her to go out in the garden immediately. Once outside the door was locked by my friend so the girl couldn't come back inside. She kept complaining that she was cold and wanted to come inside. My friend just drew the blind and ignored her. The girl was only wearing a vest top so probably was cold. When I left about an hour later the girl was still locked outside.

My friend also mentioned that the girl is food obsessed. To manage her behaviour, they refuse to give her any breakfast or lunch if she kicks off beforehand. But apparently it's ok because they always give her an evening meal?! She's not allowed to help herself to any fruit or snacks etc either. They are locked away and only my friend and her DH have keys. She's also not allowed to be in certain rooms of the house or upstairs (her bedroom and bathroom are downstairs). The boy is considered well behaved enough to not have these restrictions.

Fwiw they also have two sons of there own that still live with them. Both late teens/early 20's

I was absolutely shocked at my friend's behaviour and attitude towards this poor girl. I wanted to challenge her but was too shocked. They aren't council foster carers (I think they are with an agency? But I don't know which one). But if I contact the council will they know which agency and be able to help the girl? I don't think my friends should be fostering if they are going to treat kids like that

OP posts:
NotThisShitAgain121 · 17/06/2026 13:34

Seriously? Wow.

fivepastmidnight · 17/06/2026 14:53

converseandjeans · 17/06/2026 00:23

That sounds awful & I don’t think I could have sat there and watched it happen without intervening. If they are like that with a visitor there, imagine how vile they are usually behind closed doors.

Absolutely this. I would argue that you sitting there doing nothing condones her behaviour and makes you every bit as guilty as she is, you were too shocked to do anything come off it.

miffedatsea · 17/06/2026 16:12

If it’s been reported, this thread should probably be deleted

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

EarthlyNightshade · 17/06/2026 16:14

fivepastmidnight · 17/06/2026 14:53

Absolutely this. I would argue that you sitting there doing nothing condones her behaviour and makes you every bit as guilty as she is, you were too shocked to do anything come off it.

Several people have explained upthread that it could have been worse for the child if the OP had done anything there and then.

I can completely understand not acting in that hour (although I would have cut my visit short). What I don't get is that this all happened "the other day". If I needed to ask Mumsnet to work out what to do, I would have been on here immediately after the visit, not several days later.

fivepastmidnight · 17/06/2026 16:45

EarthlyNightshade · 17/06/2026 16:14

Several people have explained upthread that it could have been worse for the child if the OP had done anything there and then.

I can completely understand not acting in that hour (although I would have cut my visit short). What I don't get is that this all happened "the other day". If I needed to ask Mumsnet to work out what to do, I would have been on here immediately after the visit, not several days later.

Yes but she didn't say that she didn't do anything because she feared it would make things worse, she said she didn't do anything because she was in shock. But not too shocked to carry on a conversation for an hour, not too shocked to presumably have a drink and something to eat. The child's had food withheld and was locked outside for at least an hour in inappropriate clothes.

I was so angry reading the post. I just find it completely incomprehensible that she needs to consider getting other people's opinions as to if she is unreasonable to consider reporting them.wtf
if a woman came on here saying a partner withheld food and locked her out the house for an hour having screamed in her face she'd rightly be advised to leave /get out because it was abusive behaviour.

Pistachiocake · 17/06/2026 16:47

I don't see it should make a difference if they are foster or natural parents (obvious exceptions if something has been mandated by social services); they should be held to the same standards.

FFSItsTooHot · 17/06/2026 17:16

Bloody hell. I definitely think you should report it.

Diddybeans4 · 17/06/2026 23:36

Both the foster children are safe and have been removed by social services today. The Police are now involved so I can't really say a lot more - but thanks for your advice re: reporting.

Hopefully this is the start of better times for both of them

OP posts:
BackTo2000 · 17/06/2026 23:41

Diddybeans4 · 17/06/2026 23:36

Both the foster children are safe and have been removed by social services today. The Police are now involved so I can't really say a lot more - but thanks for your advice re: reporting.

Hopefully this is the start of better times for both of them

This is great news. You did the right by those children.

Does your friend know, or will she know, it was you who reported it?

GreatFish · Yesterday 00:06

Well done you.

CaesarAugusta · Yesterday 00:07

Ihateboris · 17/06/2026 12:57

No, I absolutely believe she was left outside for an hour. What I fail to understand is why the Op allowed it!! Ffsake, I'd have told her in no uncertain terms that she was being cruel

As has been pointed out, that would just have resulted in the child being made to suffer more.

Ihateboris · Yesterday 05:39

CaesarAugusta · Yesterday 00:07

As has been pointed out, that would just have resulted in the child being made to suffer more.

Yes, you could be right. Unfortunately I'm the type to intervene when I see someone being bullied etc, without thinking of the consequences. I think this stems from myself and two siblings being beaten to a pulp when we were kids, and despite the neighbours knowing, they did absolutely nothing.

Ihateboris · Yesterday 05:41

Diddybeans4 · 17/06/2026 23:36

Both the foster children are safe and have been removed by social services today. The Police are now involved so I can't really say a lot more - but thanks for your advice re: reporting.

Hopefully this is the start of better times for both of them

Brilliant news

ItsPickleRick · Yesterday 08:17

Diddybeans4 · 17/06/2026 23:36

Both the foster children are safe and have been removed by social services today. The Police are now involved so I can't really say a lot more - but thanks for your advice re: reporting.

Hopefully this is the start of better times for both of them

You did the right thing OP, they’re that bit safer today because of you.

liamharha · Yesterday 08:26

So relieved ,you totally did the right thing a d these are the type of ppl noone needs as friends

centralbee · Yesterday 08:28

Omg report why is this even a question after poor baby Preston in the news this week?!

centralbee · Yesterday 08:28

Shit read the update, well done !

keepincool · Yesterday 11:34

Diddybeans4 · 17/06/2026 23:36

Both the foster children are safe and have been removed by social services today. The Police are now involved so I can't really say a lot more - but thanks for your advice re: reporting.

Hopefully this is the start of better times for both of them

As an adult survivor of the care system, and the abuses that go with being a looked after child - I just want to say thank you OP, for asking for advice and reporting your concerns xx

Corvidsarethebest · Yesterday 13:24

OP, well done. Awful, awful but you saw something off, reported it (it was bad) and action has been taken.

ForeverTheOptomist · Yesterday 17:46

Good Work OP. V V V Good Work.

Nofeckingway · Yesterday 17:51

What the hell were you doing just witnessing this and not intervening ? I would have called the police right then and taken the girl out of the house to await further instructions. And never speak to those people ever again . Shame on you .

bafta16 · Yesterday 18:12

Nofeckingway · Yesterday 17:51

What the hell were you doing just witnessing this and not intervening ? I would have called the police right then and taken the girl out of the house to await further instructions. And never speak to those people ever again . Shame on you .

No shame. People are full of it what they would do. I bet they wouldnt

aurpod1980 · Yesterday 18:34

Wow OP well done

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