Young children playing out late - no parental input

[MrsPeony]

Hi,

I am looking for some advice please.

I am worried about two young children (4 & 8) who live in our village. They are out from the morning until around 9.30/10pm every day, speaking to anyone who walks by and showing no signs of road awareness (frequently stopping in front of cars etc). It’s a small picturesque place where many people come to visit the pub/go for walks. Their parents are not with them and they appear to be just left to it. They are overly charming/ keen to impress but easily distracted and will shoot off when they see another person to talk to.

I can’t help but feel unnerved but also very conscious that I’m overreacting. Any advice would be great.

Thank you

They'll either tell you they're happy with the situation or make contact with the family to say they're not happy with the children being unsupervised and talking to strangers.

@SandieCheeks yes they were

@MrsPeony if you haven’t reported it already, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Just do it.
You’re taking the time to respond to a Mumsnet thread instead of reporting neglect, which ultimately isn’t going to help those kids.

@MrsPeony

Do you know the parents at all? Even on sight?

Any trusted friends or neighbours you could confer with on this to make sure they parents are just leaving the kids to roam?

Do the kids appear neglected?

I am from inner city London, so this is so far removed from my reality that I don't know how "bad" it is??? I don't leave my kids anywhere unsupervised !!

Stop worrying and do something. Please call the police, they'll come and do a welfare check.

If you are worried that it might come out that it was you who reported the situation, pleas don't be. The police will keep it confidential.
I agree with a PP please take the time to report rather than debating it on Mn

OP. Please report. Rather be “that person” than that child.

NSPCC Report

Probably just trying to enjoy what’s left of their summer? Keep your nose out. 8 is big enough to keep an eye on a little @Twooty*

What is the issue as to me you sound a bit nosy @NoKnit *

This is really playing on my mind .
This is such bollocks advice.

It's that "keep your nose out" attitude that doesn't protect children. It does the opposite. The NSPCC advice is that you don't have to be CERTAIN there is a problem to report.

Rather be that nosey person who draws attention to something/nothing than the person who just turns a blind eye.

And that turning a blind eye has happened many many times sadly. There are many famous examples.

Hope you reported @MrsPeony

A four year old is much too young, please report op.

Most parents would never let such a young child play outside by themselves full stop and certainly not so late, they should be asleep safely in their beds at 10pm! It is neglect and needs to be reported, if they are taking care of their children outside, they almost certainly are not inside the home either.

*not

A 4 year old playing out alone?!☹️ Idiotic people on here saying mind your own business! Please report!

So we had this in our little village. We’re now a few years on. Social services definitely got involved, and actually, as is the way of things in a village you get to know everything. Mum is a drug addict and had problems. Everyone got to know the kids- who are lovely- but have lots of problems at school. They still hang around constantly, and are out in the streets always. Last year the boy was hanging around when I was dropping my son off at Cubs. He was watching all the boys. I went away and had a think. When I came to pick my son up I subtly pulled the Cubs leader aside and offered to buy the boy’s uniform and Fees for him to attend. And.....it turns out another parent had just done the same. I’ve since seen him on cub camp- so, again, somebody has arranged and paid for that (and it wouldn’t be his mother).

Similarly, I’ve seen both children out in the village cricket teams after standing round watching those. Somebody (who isn’t the mother) will have arranged and paid for that.

During lockdown I know people have given the kids second hand bikes and nets (for pond dipping).

Sharing because it’s quite heartwarming and isn’t really talked about in the villlage. It works, I think, because the kids are slightly too young to realise what’s going on.

They are vulnerable though. The girl, in particular, is hitting puberty and may be about to face awkward situations. Most people do watch out for them- but it’s not the same as having responsible parents.