At what point do you report concerns to social services.

[concernedfellowmum]

Just that really.

Something is playing on my mind. A mum I know of (through neighbours, and see her around from time to time), is very clearly on drugs. She has always been an angry person, shouts a lot at her two children and you can always here her ranting at them in the street.

But lately she is very clearly off her face on drugs. Do I report this. And to who? Would the school have picked up on this?

I don't want to cause any upset but the woman is clearly using and the children are in her care.

I've called nspcc line and anonymously reported.

I understand it would have been better to leave my details but I don't want to risk my own family life being affected by this.

As soon as the comments started on this thread I knew I had to report. The questions I've asked after the initial post were just things I would like to have known.

Thank you all for your comments, they've been really helpful. I do however feel really sad. Hope I've done the right thing x

Just to add I'm not sure exactly what happened with my report but the main thing I was concerned about isn't happening anymore so something was obviously done about it and I am glad I reported it

It is quite possible that others have reported and other agencies are aware such as the school. From a safe guarding perspective, the more people that report the more likely there is to be action taken. You did the right thing OP.

Please ring social services. All that nspcc do is pass it on and that's really unhelpful as they can't ask relevant questions.

Yes I think you need to directly ring safeguarding I'm never sure why ringing the nspcc is suggested on these threads

I agree. It's much better to ring direct as more information can be gathered.

And ring each and every time you observe concerning behaviour.

So what I've done is not enough?

It's a start OP however I'd personally ( and have) ring council children's services. It was quite a detailed account I was I giving and even I was asked questions.

Well done OP. I had to do this last year, and did the same as you did - worried whether it was the right thing to do until a friend pointed out that I knew I had to report it. Doesn't stop that sad feeling though.

If you have further concerns don't forget to report those too (as hard as it is).

Thank you @musicalmrs . Shame it has to get to this.

What evidence have you got to suggest she is off her face on drugs?

If you look up Out Of Hours Child Protection Team and give them a ring and just let them know directly your concerns. At least you have done something. It may or may not be anything, but they can go out and check.

You only have to look at her to see she is taking drugs and is high.

Reporting to NSPCC is the same as reporting to children's services but wastes time and loses info along the way.
Don't phone out of hours, they are a skeleton staff for emergencies only. Call tomorrow and make a proper anonymous report.

I dont get why people call nspcc, just call social services?! seriously

People don't understand what NSPCC does. They are a pointless and toothless organisation. They have no statutory duties.

I’ve shared this story on more than one occasion here and there was slightly more to it. The parents concerned were drinking, a lot. They would drop the child off at school and be literally drinking cans of Strongbow as they walked away at 8.50.

I reported it to the school after an incident I saw. The teacher then asked me was I willing to speak to social services, which I did. I had a very long chat with them, told them everything I knew including incidents that other parents had told me. They were aware of the child. They kept my details anonymous, although I did agree they could share them if absolutely necessary.

The school refused to release the child at home time to the mother, she was absolutely pissed as a fart I’m not sure if them not releasing the child was coincidence or if that had been planned.

I know the child was removed from the parents for a while but was soon returned to them.

I knew I had to report what I had seen and knew as I would never have forgiven myself if anything had happened to the child and I hadn’t. No one other parent at the school had reported them to anyone.

You have done the right thing OP.

I'm glad you are reported anonymously to NSPCC.
But in the morning, please consider reporting non-anonymously to social services.
The threshold to remove a child is high, the more information they have the better.
Of course many/most children taken into care want to stay with their parents, but it really doesn't mean it is best for them to stay in an environment where they are witnessing DV, or drug taking, or being neglected, or abused.
My DD was 'known' to SS for 5 years with lots of help and extra chances before she went into care.

ScarletBitch

Unless the child is at risk of immediate serious harm then the OP will be told to ring children's services in the morning. If they are at immediate serious risk it's Police to attend with duty out of hours. Police are only ones who can remove without court order in limited services. Otherwise it's Emergency protection order or normal child protection procedures to follow.