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?

@Proteinshakesandtears I think you’re guessing a lot and also focusing on this parental rights element which really isn’t important. It’s almost like getting the parents into trouble is more important than looking out for the child.

@AnthonyCrowley they still treated you though didn’t they? I’m aware they input your details to the central database at a walk in- of course they do. But it doesn’t dictate whether or not you get treatment, and there are even fewer restrictions if you’re a child (ie they can’t argue they may not be eligible for free treatment)

I cant believe people are saying don't report! Not having a birth certificate will have negative effects for that child if it wants to participate in society when it's older. I don't think that's a choice parents should be entitled to make.

This, completely. Report it now so that it can be rectified before the child suffers the consequences.

Presumably the child isn't registered with a GP either? So what would happen if it became ill? Would the parents avoid getting treatment so that they aren't caught?

I don't think anything will happen if you report them and if they are forced to register then they can de-register anyway. It's all about common law, we are currently ruled by maritime law, which isn't legal.

"I didn't want it in my medical notes that I'd got a perforated ear drum."

Just out of interest, may I ask why you didn't want that in your notes?

I think you’re guessing a lot and also focusing on this parental rights element which really isn’t important. It’s almost like getting the parents into trouble is more important than looking out for the child.

Not really. I simple put forward a point if view, that some poster kept saying it was their parental right not to register them. I wondered if the parental responsibility (and rights that come with that) actually exist at all. I was then challenged and asked questions. Then responded. I am thinking from the parents point of view, could they take their child for treatment then find themseleves not being allowed access to the child for a time being. For them, registering the could so this doesnt happen could be a reason to do it.

You may get treatment. But since that treatment may prompt state involvement, the question is, would the parents be pursue treatment so that the state doesnt get involved.

A child will get treatment from the NHS. That's not the problem. The problem is, will the parents not seek it, knowing what will probably happen.

I don't think anything will happen if you report them and if they are forced to register then they can de-register anyway.

You can not register a birth.

I wouldn’t, child is safe and happy and it’s surely something that can be sorted out at a later date without you causing problems for them

But OP doesn't know that the child is safe and happy. This is the classic situation that leaves children open to abuse. Plus, for all OP knows, the child has underlying medical problems that aren't being dealt with.

Even if this is true now, it can change in a second. Suppose the child has a serious accident and the parents won't take him for treatment because they're scared they'll be found out?

With rights come responsibilities and along with the right to have a child is the responsibility to register it, to ensure the child is in the system for health, schooling etc and beyond that do they can have a passport, a job, etc. Whilst they may have the constitution of an ox and never want to leave the Uk, their parents do not know this at the outset and need to put the pieces in place for these things to happen.

It’s obviously not within parental rights to chose whether or not to register a birth, as the requirement to do so is governed by statutory law. It’s just irrelevant

Has the OP come back to let us know she's going to report the child?

I don't think I would report them. Not claiming that's a great decision, but the chain of events that followed them being investigated would also be bad. It's a shitty decision so I don't see a clear right or wrong with it. Would be different if OP had clear welfare concerns now.

I am thinking of USA Parents who (recently) sutured small child's cut forehead at home. All part of the story how (unvaxxed of course) child ended up nearly dying from tetanus & lumbered tax payers with costs > $1 million. That's what crazy off-grid people do.

@MrsBertBibby Thank you for that link. I ended up spending some time on that site, very interesting reading.

@meditrina Thanks for that link - I'll have a read of that thread.

Surely they mean not registered with the local education authority rather than not registered at birth?

Create an email account just for this and send an anonymous report, OP. That will get at least start an investigation.

I don't think anything will happen if you report them and if they are forced to register then they can de-register anyway. It's all about common law, we are currently ruled by maritime law, which isn't legal.

????!!!!!!!?????

I'm sorry but you really cannot de-register a birth.

And I really don't want to even know what maritime law is and why it isn't legal.

The main reason I'd report is if it is a borderline health concern. You know those times when it's a "should I or shouldn't I go to the doctors?" They will obviously not go, or even not go when it would be patently obvious to the rest of us they should.

It's all about common law, we are currently ruled by maritime law, which isn't legal.

What?

Report it, that child will be an adult one day!!

Surprised at such a long thread, when the op has only written 2 sentences and answered no questions!

I don't think anything will happen if you report them and if they are forced to register then they can de-register anyway. It's all about common law, we are currently ruled by maritime law, which isn't legal.

Ah, the Freemen of the Land have turned up. For anyone bewildered by this, it's explained (as far as it can be) in the link posted upthread - suesspiciousminds.com/2019/06/21/all-at-sea-2/

I woud definitely report to someone. I've known this scenario for happen and can fully believe it. Even if they did have a hospital birth a health visitor etc, all they do is ask if you've registered the birth. If they lied and said yes, the box on the health visitor's form would be ticked, no further action needed. It's so easy for a kid to fall through the cracks.

In what fashion did you get to know these people and had them confessed the child wasn't registered. I find this very odd, as obviously, the essence of their lives is to remain under the radar. They would be very alert to ensure they don't get reported. Them telling someone that is not part of their secretive family would be very unlikely. I find it very strange.

To happen, not for happen 🤦‍♀️

This doesn't seem very plausible, OP. The parents have such strong convictions about avoiding state intervention that they haven't registered the child's birth, and yet they go around mentioning that fact to people such as you who could easily rumble them? Why on earth would they tell you this?

I think you have misunderstood or they are pulling your leg.