Not wanting to send my son back to nursery because of child cruelty investigation

[xAIBUx]

AIBU for being worried and hesident to send my son back to Nursery after they have been/being investigating by the CQC.

Basically, My mums friend works at the nursery my son goes to and we have just found out that the manager of the nursery has been suspended while being investigated for child cruelty. Even though all of the other workers there have been investigated and cleared, im just worried and hesitant about sending him back next week. This has been ongoing for a long time apparently but the manger was only suspended last week. My son is only 2 and sending him to nursery was a big deal as one of my massive/major worries was something like this happening.

Hmm this doesn’t really make sense. I would want to make sure I knew the facts tbh because it doesn’t add up. Perhaps keep him off and find out what is going on before pulling out completely.

However, if you're unhappy or unsure then find another nursery asap

This sounds a bit strange , I work with CQC quite a lot and this isn't really how they work. I appreciate you haven't had this directly but this doesn't make any sense . I would be inclined to insist on some level of further information (whilst realising they will not be able to tell you everything ) , I also agree with pp the only time they would be involved with a nursery is in relation to another regulated service, for example a disability home and that is extremely extremely rare or a childrens home in specific situations. They dont have any say in what happens in a neuro typical nursery. They also dont have a say unless you are registered (although they can put pressure on local authority if they come across concerning information).

Something definitely isn't right here to be honest.

They wouldn't tell the parents until there was true evidence (you cannot rely on one person saying this I've completed a lot of safeguarding investigations on staff and the information and evidence doesnt leave the senior team until it is proven without a doubt , in terms of other staff). People can often be suspended after an allegation whilst fact finding is continuing. It doesnt mean they did anything. I once was forced to suspend two staff after an allegation by a social worker of serious abuse on an elderly service user and the social worker had got the names completely wrong and those two staff had absolutely nothing to do with it at all.

I do empathise with losing faith in the provider , but ask the questions first. I've seen time and time again investigation word of mouth run absolute riot. (In fairness I have also seen it be right but the point is you simply can't tell).

I would honestly say speak to them, be upfront about being aware something is happening and ask to be told how they can confirm your child is safe. They wont be able to tell you everything but you have a right to know your child is safe.

If there has been an accusation of child cruelty presumably the accusation has come from a parent? In which case, I’d be surprised that there hasn’t been any local gossip. The nursery would be acutely aware of the damage gossip can cause and the owners would have responded with a statement quickly. Also, surely child cruelty would merit police involvement.

Are you sure your mum’s friend has everything correct? Child cruelty is serious and not a term to be bandied around casually.

But, in answer to your OP...if you are worried keep him off. And try to find out what’s going on. As a parent I think you have a right to know.

The CQC? Are you sure they are investigating? Because I don’t think they regulate nurseries - expect for some very specific ones for children with particular health needs. Surely it is Ofsted that would be doing any investigation?

On the basis that the 'facts' you have been told are bullshit (clearly - as several has pointed out this is not CQC territory) then this looks like malicious gossip, and yabu.

However if you're not happy for any reason don't send your child.

A lot of special needs children are now attending mainstream nurseries so it's very possible this professional body is investigating?

My son is in mainstream nursery with a major speech delay and possible autism. There is also a diagnosed autistic child attending too (I only know this because my DS and this boy are friendly and I've spoken to his mum, the nursery don't reveal information like that). So is it possible that a child with special needs has apparently had cruelty done to them and that's why the professional body is investigating?

@YappityYapYap not really, no.

Regulatory bodies get involved in facilities they specifically regulate. So if a specialist centre is CQC registered and there is a complaint then the CQC will inspect. If a centre is OFSTED regulated and there is a complaint then OFSTED inspect. Although for child cruelty the police and council would be involved too.

The body registers and regulates the facility, not the people themselves.

It's really not possible for a regulatory body to investigate a setting they do not regulate, they may come along to advise with the actual ombudsman in extremely rare cases (I've dealt with prison inspections where cqc , Ofsted etc worked together in YOI) , just because a child has disabilities they don't get involved on every place they attend. It really isn't how it works

This would not be the CQC. It would be the local authority LADO if professional abuse. This doesn't make sense ?

@xAIBUx until anything if confirmed by the nursery it is just gossip essentially. @user14366425683113 was correct, it is third hand gossip.

Yes I am a parent, I also know how damaging rumours can be and how something can turn into something else.

I’d get my facts straight and be informed before I made any hasty decisions

It wouldn’t be the CQC either, a referral would be made to LADO - the police would also be involved.

The CQC have nothing to do with nurseries.

Don’t think we are going to see op again..

@Summersunandoranges Actually I was busy making my child dinner if that is quite alright with you, so ''Don't think we are going to see op again...'' is a bit of a bitchy comment :)

I have read all replies and I dont really see the point in commenting further. thank you to the people who have commented helpful advice or suggestions and for the record none of you know if my child has special needs or not. I havent said so you've just assumed he doesn't. Thank you to the helpful comments.

Now @Summersunandoranges you won't be seeing any replies from me because im not even going to be viewing this thread again. I asked for advice but some of you obviously are just looking to stuck up which is evident from your last reply :) going forward reply and comment what you will, i wont be wasting my time.

Again thank you for the people who has given me HELPFUL advice :)

By helpful advice presumably you mean the people who agreed with your narrative and who didn't ask you to question the fact that this is just rumours and gossip?

You are certainly not unreasonable to not want to send your DC to a nursery if you have any concerns about how well he is being looked after.

However I would question how founded your concerns actually are because as others have said, the story you have been given really does not make sense - for the reasons others have given ie OFSTED would be the regulatory body rather than CQC and child cruelty would be a police matter.

You may think that people are not answering your question or being horrible when they are pointing this out but surely you would want to get your facts straight?

Oh bless you my love, that’s so hard! How is your son reacting to going to nursery?
Look, she may not be guilty (obs, she may well be guilty too) but maybe she was fine with your baby. I really hope she was.
Take your cue from your baby, if he’s happy to go to nursery then let him.

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD THERE.

I worked in a nursery for three days once and it was like that. If it's from management it will filter throughout the place.

Yeah .... like I thought.

I've just looked up the CQC and if the OP is in Scotland, she may well be talking about the care inspectorate which used to be called the care commission. They regulate early education up to 16 years old so nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools. Easy to get confused with names like care quality commision, care commission and care inspectorate

I would keep your child out of the nursery until you can confirm if this activity is true.

If there is indeed an investigation for child cruelty onsite, do not send him back.

The CQC manage institutions like care homes and dental practices. What your moms friend is alleging is criminal and the police would be involved.