To report parents for not registering the birth of a child

[Anon6356237]

Should I stay out of it or report? I'm concerned the child could fly under the radar if there are any concerns if they are not 'in the system'. Who would I report to?

How old is the child?

5, they are homeschooled

How do you know this?

How old is the child? I believe you get 42 days to do it.

Why have they not registered the child? Surely the child would only fly under the radar if the mother had no antenatal care, free birthed (all legal) and then didn’t register the child.

How do you know they haven't been registered? If you know for certain, then yes, you absolutely should report this. I can't imagine why you wouldn't register a birth unless you had some ulterior motive.

They will be in the system, there are fines if you don’t register within 6 weeks of birth.

Not registered with whom? Do you mean they don’t have a birth certificate?

Presumably they have told people.
I would, there can't be positive reasons for this. Either they are avoiding "the system" or they are so disorganised they didn't do it.
I assume the child has never been to the doctor or had any vaccinations either.

They will be in the system anyway - hospitals send a record of births to the local registration services. They will be getting reminders to register the birth and the process if someone fails to do do us usually a referral to social services and possibly a fine.

They can't claim child benefit etc either without a birth certificate.

@Timeless19 but how will anyone know? If the child is homeschooled and they havent registered for doctors, passport etc. It would be easy to be missed. Very few places ask to see a birth certificate and those that do are easily bypassed.

@hormonesorDHbeingadick some people do those on purpose to avoid the child being noticed.

YANBU. Try SS?

I mhave come acroas several children who weren't registered when I worked in social style work. It is a big red flag. Yes it can be parents who want t to live off the grid but can equally all is abuse to carry on unnoticed. it's also a huge ballache for them as adults.

They have told me they didn't register the child. Something to do with the government owning their child. I don't know why it hasn't caught up with them yet.

It's bizarre that they are prepared to have an effectively stateless child who will miss out in so many opportunities.

They will be in the system anyway - hospitals send a record of births to the local registration services.

Not if they had a home birth with no medical involvement at any point in the pregnancy.

Do you have cause to be concerned about this family?

Yes I would, while this might all be fine it also might not.

There are some hippy types who free birth/don't believe in the system, there are others who have previously come to the attention of social services for whatever reason and shouldn't have children.

Room The mum may not have had any medical involvement in pregnancy and birth.

I would ring the register office as my first point of call.

I have wondered if it’s possible for a child to not exist “officially”. If the mother chooses not have and antenatal care, has a homebirth and the child is not vaccinated and the homeschooled I could see this happening quite easily. Could be a complete PITA for the child when they are older though.

As it’s a conscious choice on the part of the parents, it’s a pretty big intervention on your part to report them.
I would only do it if you have other concerns.

Does that mean they don’t get child benefit?

It sounds like they are into all that 'Freemen on the land' bollocks. They have strange views about what a birth certificate represents.

I'd report it - the child will have a hard time participating in society when they are older if they cannot evidence their existence.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemen_on_the_land

Often your local council’s website will give a number to call if you have concerns about a child.

The number will probably be for the MASH (multi-agency safeguarding hub; specific for each local area) who are the team who you go to first generally, or you can also call the NSPCC. If there are no clear directions on the council website, Google ‘MASH ’ for a number.