Should I report neighbours to social services?

[Mar00]

Hello,

Would really appreciate help on this one as I am not a parent and not sure what the rules are. I live in a victorian building, neighbours living on the ground floor have three children (4, 7, 10 I believe).
Since lockdown began, I have been wfh so noticing much more goings on in/around the building. Some of the following stuff is making me question whether I should contact social services:

• The children seem very behind in their development. Both the 4yo and 7yo are in diapers and using pacifiers. Also, neither one of them can quite speak. I would say their speech development is similar to that of my 18-month old niece - random words and sounds but not really coherent sentences.
• The children scream A LOT. Not necessarily screams of pain but kind of high pitched screams and wails.
• The 4yo and 7yo are often walking around the common area at the back of the building only dressed in diapers which are sagging to their knees and their stomachs are very distended (reminded me of those pics from Save the Children when they show effects of child malnutrition in war-torn countries)
• Periodically (~1x per week) there is a LOT of shouting from the parents and curse words directed at the children
• They are keeping the windows open - the smell emanating from the flat is very unpleasant (combo of cigarette smoke, damp and very old/dirty carpets I would say)

I have tried building a bit of rapport but they were not interested in developing neighbourly relations. This has been consistently the pattern of behaviour for about 6 months now.

What should I do? Is this grounds to get social services involved or is it just their parenting style and i should mind my own business?

Thanks

You are worried, so contact social services.

Do the children go to school?

Yes, the 7yo and 10yo go to school so am thinking teachers must have noticed these things?

Yes report. They could be unknown to any services

I would yes

Always contact SS if you're unsure. Far, far better to report when not needed than to potentially leave a child in a abusive / neglectful home.

The nappies wouldn’t bother me, many children struggle with potty training. Coupled with the verbal skills you’ve described maybe they have some additional needs or disabilities? That wouldn’t concern me all that much either.

Maybe the curse words from the parents towards the children are linked to their development, obviously I’m unsure and wouldn’t like to speculate and of course I am not condoning that behaviour, regarding the smell maybe a welfare check? Just to check all is okay and the family is getting all the support necessary.

Is there a way to report this anonymously?

@ShinyGreenElephant

Always contact SS if you're unsure. Far, far better to report when not needed than to potentially leave a child in a abusive / neglectful home.

This!!

@Mar00

Yes, the 7yo and 10yo go to school so am thinking teachers must have noticed these things?

The fact they both wear nappy's could be an indication they have additional needs.

Although I am very surprised the school haven't picked up on this, unless they are in special education

Yes I would and I say that as someone who had a child in nappies age 7. Just nappies could be a medical condition but combined with the other concerns it points more towards neglect

There is no harm in reporting what you have observed. You can do it through the NSPCC which can be done anonymously. They are good at passing on concerns to the right people. We all have an obligation to ensure the safety and well being of children.

I’m unsure and wouldn’t like to speculate and of course I am not condoning that behaviour, regarding the smell maybe a welfare check? Just to check all is okay and the family is getting all the support necessary.

This is what I was going to say.

It sounds like they perhaps have two children with additional needs and could be overwhelmed so are in need of some support.

SS or NSPCC would be best placed to arrange a welfare check via local services.

Generally I’d always err on the side of caution. I’d be surprised if SS weren’t aware of something if they’re attending school.

But better to do it on the off chance.

I agree with PP, any concerns regarding children should be reported and then then it's up to the relevant person/authority to take the next steps. Are you aware if the children go to school? If so you could report to the Safeguarding lead at the school, otherwise NSPCC.

@Mar00

Is there a way to report this anonymously?

Assuming you are in the U.K. (you use American words of diapers and pacifiers so I’m not sure) then you can ring the NSPCC and tell them or google child safeguarding and the name of your council and tell them but decline to give your details.

Great thanks all I think I'll contact NSPCC.

Err yes, absolutely report.
Sounds very concerning. If by any chance everything is ok then nothing has been lost.

The lack of speech and developmental issues could be disabilities. The fact they are in full nappies outside and the house stinks you need to report this. Child welfare is a joint responsibility.

Yes definitely report and no you don't have to give your details.

Contact social services. If there are developmental issues with the kids then either ss already know , or they soon will. You’re not doing anything wrong to report your valid concerns imo.

Yabu in that you should already have reported based on their physical appearance.

I'd report, although I'd also be surprised if the school/SS didn't know something already.

If there are developmental issues with the kids then either ss already know , or they soon will.

This is not the case. I have two children with developmental disabilities and there is no SS involvement whatsoever, they don't record details of children with developmental issues unless the family is in need of SS support.