To think this was really inappropriate?

[IntoValhalla]

Back story: There’s woman who’s kids used to go to my DC’s nursery, very troubled in every sense of the word ie, alcohol, drugs, MH issues etc. Children removed by SS a while ago, and no longer attend the nursery. There was a big incident over the weekend, resulting in this woman being arrested - we live in a small village, so everyone knows about it.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve gone to pick my DC up from nursery. Probably 7 or 8 mums all waiting in the cloakroom for our DCs, chatting, manager in the office chirping into the conversation. Then the conversation turned to the incident at the weekend, and the family in question. Then the manager mentions about how she knows the social worker involved (presumably because SS had contact with her while the DCs were attending the nursery?) and then starts talking openly about details of their ongoing case
I was gobsmacked that someone in that position would openly gossip about something so sensitive with other parents!! The woman in question is no friend of mine, and I’ve witnessed some of her absolutely hideous drunken behaviour, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, having her business discussed by everyone, including someone in a position of trust I didn’t say anything at the time, but I’m now thinking I should have said how inappropriate it was?
Would you have said anything?

Something, not sighting.

@IntoValhalla then yes I would ring children's service in the first instance and ask to speak to the safeguarding team. They can point you in the right direction if there is a separate fostering and adoption agency in your area and if you should call them.

I'm not scare mongering but if she has disclosed detailed of their current placement then she has put the children at potential risk. Anyone in that group at drop off could have recent to pass the message - the Mum is their second cousins girlfriends sister or whatever - or could do so by more gossiping .

Please ring ASAP and report the breach. They should investigate.

Children removed by SS a while ago, and no longer attend the nursery.

Will OFSTED - or anyone - do anything as the children are no longer at that nursery so they don't come under the nursery's jurisdiction as it were?

Although I agree her behaviour is shocking.

I would report anonymously rather than speak out in front of everyone because the manager won't modify their behaviour and will carry on, just not in front of you.

Please report, this is so inappropriate. Those children deserve confidentiality and whatever people thinks of the Mother she does too.

Some people have to put themselves front and centre of local gossip and love that they know more than other people. The Nursery Manager is absolutely in the wrong and has a duty of care not to spread private information li’e this.

Yes, it is a safe guarding issue.

Highly inappropriate, unprofessional behaviour. It's inevitable I guess that the other parents may have been discussing the incident at the weekend, however she should have certainly steered clear of joining in, and under no circumstances should have shared confidential information about their current care arrangements. This needs raising with Ofsted as others have said, and with SS as well, as they need to know that this information has been shared.

There are young children at the centre of a safeguarding situation here, who need to be protected, and have their privacy and dignity maintained. If you contact the SG team they will be able to let the SW concerned know, although there could be issues with her professional conduct also, if she has kept the nursery manager updated on the case when no longer involved, so I would be tempted to ask to speak directly to the team leader. Obviously no one can give you any information, but you can share the information you have.

InternetArgument under GDPR everyone is protected, not just those who are deemed to have earned respect. The woman in question is equally protected by this law, as she should be, and as are her children.

Please report to Ofsted or ss.
She has no right to disclose comfidential info re ss or court. As an ex cm i regularly worked with ss and family services for kids from troubled homes. I never shared info with anyone its a total no no.

Manager has breachrd confidentiality and all the safeguarding guidelines big time and should be hauled over the coals for it. It doesnt matter if 'the incident' is common knowledge the rest isnt and she had no right to share it. It doesnt matter what people think of the mother both her and the kids are entitled to confidentiality within the nursery setting.

Will OFSTED - or anyone - do anything as the children are no longer at that nursery so they don't come under the nursery's jurisdiction as it were?

SS will certainly be interested, the children could now be at risk of harm.

"I wouldn't make a formal complaint. Even though you felt it was an inappropriate overshare, you're child attends this nursery where the woman works and you want to be able to get along with everyone there"

Not being funny but isn't that more of a reason to report? The manager has breached confidentiality and tbh I wouldn't be able to trust her if there was anything going on with my child, that she wouldn't be blabbing about it to every Tom, Dick and Harry

So incredibly inappropriate and stupid!

I'd be reporting this for those poor children, wouldn't give a shit about being friends with everyone there

If you don’t deserve respect you don’t get it. Nothing wrong here.

Erm! The children are legally entitled to privacy regarding their family and residential status!

OP report this manager to the local authority. How disgusting of her to do that go children.

Please report her to Ofsted.

Heard loud and clear: I will be reporting first thing in the morning.

I agree that you should report this and I'm glad that you're taking that advice on board. SS cases are always confidential, for the sake of the children, not the parents.

I would be concerned about the fact that the nursery manager knows so much about the case. It sounds as if the social worker has breached confidentiality here.

So the fact that you don't deem the mum to be worthy of respect is irrelevant.

Lizzie wasn’t me who said that about the mum - although the situation was wholly preventable, I actually feel quite sorry for her considering the entire village is gossiping about her and her poor kids

One of the mums who was front and centre of the conversation is a well known gossip-whore, so I can’t say I’m surprised at her, but I was completely shocked at the nursery manager sticking her two pence worth in

OFSTED OFSTED! ring & tell them this is totally out of order - & very unprofessional - ring OFSTED & tell them

I know it wasn't you, OP, sorry I wasn't clear there. I should have clearly addressed that comment to @InternetArgument .