Should I report this to social services?

[FluffyUnionSocks]

I have name changed so not to link my previous posts.

I live in a small close on a new build estate and unfortunately have the worst next door neighbour imaginable, they have literally ruined my life since they moved here. I have unfortunately felt that I had no choice but report them to social services on several occasions and from my perspective although it was 100% the correct thing to do the issues I reported are still happening on a very regular basis and they are now even worse neighbours than before. It was physical abuse I reported previously, reports have been made by the occupants in the other 4 houses in our close over the past few years also.

As I said above this issue is still ongoing and some of the things you see and hear from that house are truly heartbreaking. I have noticed over the last few months that the youngest child who is in reception keeps escaping from the house and the parents do not notice or maybe they do and they just don’t care. Today I came home the child had escaped and was in the road hiding under a car, you could see the child as you entered the street. They were under there for over 5 minutes after I got home not sure how long before that, the child then started running in the road and slamming into the bonnet of a car parked on a neighbouring properties drive, from watching they were trying to climb up onto the bonnet rather than hurt themselves deliberately. My question is is this a safeguarding concern? I am not sure if the physical and verbal abuse we are subjected to hearing very regularly from the adults in this family is clouding my judgment. I do not know why the child was hiding under the car, I am not sure if there had been an incident inside the home and they were scared as I was out. I have a children and I certainly would not allow one of mine to be underneath a car as it just seems so dangerous to me.

yabu = perfectly normal mind your own business.
yanbu = of course it’s a safeguarding concern report to social services.

I would report but I’d also call the police when I heard disturbances.

I would speak either to the child (why is he hiding under a car?) or to the parents - make it clear to the them
that you are concerned and that they shouldn’t be angry with their child, but point out the dangers of playing in the road. I don’t think this is a safeguarding issue per se, but if you speak to them and nothing changes, then maybe get in touch with social services.

This is so upsetting OP. That poor child. Well done for reporting everything that you have so far. Yes a child running out of a house and hiding under a car is certainly something that needs reporting. Are any of your reports being made to the police as well as social services? If not, that would be my next port of call

@sesquipedalian I can not talk to them they are violent unapproachable individuals. My dilemma is not knowing what to do to actually help these children.

If you also have children in the same school, I’d ask to see the safeguarding lead and flag it with him/her. They are likely to have broader context and also links to SS if necessary.

Please ignore @sesquipedalian ’s advice to approach the family, that’s terrible advice

I would have reported it to the police the moment I saw them outside under the car. The police would probably have referred it on to SS. If you want to report it to SS you can do it online through the NSPCC.

If a child is laying under a cat I'd call the police straight away.

That is an immediate concern for welfare.

I forgot to say that you could also contact the school’s headteacher/ safeguarding lead (if you know which school they go to). Reporting to social services, the police and the school is about as much as you can do and gives the children the best chance of being helped. Don’t hesitate to call the police on 999

@Raspberry290 I have not reported to the police as of yet but other neighbours have reported them and police to attend the property. The issue with that is the adults then target the other properties and their children with their verbal abuse, it’s just a horrible horrible situation to be in.

Your options are NSPCC, SS, the school (if you know it) or the police. I would definitely do one of those 4 in these circumstance though because that's really scary the child being out like that with nobody supervising

I really feel for you, it sounds awful

I would make a diary and report absolutely every incident I heard or saw.

if this was a one off ofc I would say no, the likely good that he’s throwing a tantrum and SS referrals can cause damage HOWEVER there is a very clear pattern of behaviour here.

report it. And keep a diary.

Contact your local children’s services, they should have a ‘front door’ service which is the starting point for the public to report concerns, they will assess the information and pass onto any relevant departments, they work with early help, domestic abuse, health, schools and police, so your referral will be seen and actioned by the relevant professionals.
Google children’s services front door / multi agency team in your local council area or check your local authority website for contact details