To make a report to social services?

[screamingbanshees]

Hi all,

I desperately need advice on how to deal with this situation. I am a young mother (19) and pretty much estranged from my extended relatives. However, my cousin (under 18) has been increasingly detailed to me in her accounts of life at home - she states that her mother (who struggles with MH disorders) is using cocaine and weed daily while her younger two children (2 and 6) are at home and my cousin is looking them.

She has also stated that she has reached out to social services, police and even her school about the abuse, showing them evidence of bruises. It has been ongoing physical and verbal fights for years while none of these authorities have taken action other than brief investigations, to which her mother puts on a good act and such authorities step down. Not to mention, the mother frequently goes on nights out and does not return until very late the next day. I am extremely concerned for the welfare of these two young children and realise that my cousin will not be able to maintain caring responsibilities as she will be attending university in the coming years.

What I am asking is how can I help and make social services take some form of action? I am a mother myself to a 2 year old and a uni student and cannot physically help look after these children. She has reached out to everyone and been failed abysmally by the system.

I have told my parents about the situation and been met with "just leave it alone", "we don't get involved with that side of the family" etc. I appreciate that we cannot save everyone, but is there is truly nothing I can do to ensure the safety of these children? I feel utterly helpless.

Of course something needs to be done about this. But you say your cousin has reported it herself and nothings been done. I find it strange that this relative is taking drugs and harming her children but nothing has been done. Has your cousin managed to collect evidence of what’s going on?

She has shown bruises, told them she is taking drugs etc but I am told this was not taken as an urgent matter by SS.

How young is your cousin?

Horribly if she is secondary age and capable then authorities can easily turn a blind eye.

Also is the 6 year old speaking up at school as well? They need to say stuff to teachers as well.

Try the nspcc or childline

I would keep tring the police and childrens safeguarding team. Can cousin take the younger children to hospital, they will have a duty to act.

She has just finished secondary.

Assuming you have good reason to believe your cousin, report it all yourself. preferably directly to your local MASH. (Multi agency safeguarding hub)

Many MASH teams will inform the reporter (as well as all concerned) of the outcome of the MASH inquiry, which means you're better enabled to follow it up if insufficient.

Also report what's going on to the younger siblings schools.

When only one person reports, it's easy for it to be investigated and seen as exaggerated, especially if mum knows how to game the system.

When your cousin goes to uni, mum will be forced to change her behavior patterns, not necessarily for the better.

I'd suggest your cousin gathers whatever evidence she can towards that if needed.

If they have already reported it and it was investigated then nothing will change.

When something new happens she/you should make a call to the police then and there.

If the bruises are examined by a forensic paediatrician and classed as non accidental by them then they will take action.