To be annoyed at neighbours and their child!

[Princessbanana]

Hi, this is my first time posting! I have neighbours that just moved into our small cul de sac. They have a 10 year old and 13 year old boys. There are 2 schools where we live and my children are at a separate school to their son. But here’s the thing, the 10 year olds bubble was sent home because one of the other children tested positive but his parents haven’t kept him in and he keeps calling to our house for my children to play with my children, he’s up and down to the shop twice or 3 times per day and I’m not sure what I should do about it. His parents aren’t there most of the day and he’s constantly left to do what he pleases (which is a whole other thread) but don’t know how to handle this. Obviously I have told him my kids aren’t coming out to play and he’s not allowed in. Do I call the school? I don’t want to approach his parents as I’m not sure how much English they speak.

I would call the school as in theory it could be anyone. Don’t give your name, just say you are a neighbour

Yes call the school. Definitely.

Yea, this is what I was thinking of doing, just didn’t know if I was justified or not. Thanks 🙂

Definitely call the school!

He's only 10, and especially if his parents don't speak English well, he might just not know what he's supposed to be doing.

When the lad comes to your door, there's no harm in explaining to him why his class has been sent home and this means he has to stay at home and not mix with anyone outside his household. Be polite, kind, explanatory not accusatory. Then say, that's why the other children can't come out to play, and you must go home now.

His friends have explained it to him from a distance as they are not aloud to play with either. He absolutely knows he’s suppose to be inside but doesn’t seem to care that if he isn’t, it could effect others!😖

Update! I contacted the school and they have said that once the children are sent home, it is out of their hands. So there doesn’t seem to be much more I can do.

That's frustrating! Only thing I can think of is attempting to talk to the parents or boy.

Phone the school but there's not much they can do id personally phone the local police station an ask if they can have a word with parents about why he's out when shouldn't be but also check out the home situation if he's left alone.

Yes it is very frustrating! I’m not sure if the police would do much with him being left home alone, I’m pretty sure they would direct me to social services and from what I’ve heard they are short stretched as it is.

I’m interested to know if when you called the school you also told them that he is left home alone without any supervision which is why he’s out roaming the streets.

So not only is it a covid issue, but surely a safeguarding issue too.

To be honest, even without the bubble bursting, we're still in lockdown, and that means kids can't go out to play with each other.

I did mention it to the school but it was brushed over really. And yes, it is a massive safe guarding issue, if he ever went missing, nobody would know where he was or how long he’d been gone.

I would be trying to speak to the parents even with limited English, regardless of anything else he's their responsibility and they should be aware of where he is and what hes doing.

He could be passing infection on to vunerable people especially going to the local shops. Could it not be reported to the local police, they are meant to be enforcing lockdown and I'm sure you can report non urgent issues online.

@ILoveYoga

Sadly there’s no real legal age to being left alone at home. There’s a guide age of 14. But even the NSPCC says it’s only w guide