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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would you be concerned ?

85 replies

ManorHall7 · 21/05/2023 08:14

We have neighbours that are regularly leaving their 8 and 5 year old alone. This week 3 times however 1 time only for about 5 minutes it appears whilst one was coming home from work and one going to work in evening.

Would you be concerned ? And do anything ?

OP posts:

Original poster

ManorHall7 · 23/05/2023 02:34

Thebigblueballoon · 23/05/2023 01:09

I’m not sure why you bothered to post this thread. You’re clearly not interested in any view that doesn’t validate your desire to get your neighbours into trouble.

If they aren't doing anything wrong why would they get into trouble ? I haven't asked about reporting them

OP posts:

Original poster

ManorHall7 · 23/05/2023 02:35

oddlycurious · 23/05/2023 01:15

Why are they not 'approachable' OP? Or you could put a note in their door as anonymous just to say you are concerned and happy to keep a look out if need be whenever an emergency arises and they need to leave the kids alone. Just so they have some sort of heads up and then have a chance to sort it before bloody social services or police are involved :)

They have been abusive to others on the street. If they haven't done anything wrong as many posters have stated they won't need a heads up ? I haven't asked about how to report them just if its concerning

OP posts:

Hairday · 23/05/2023 14:01

It is concerning, for sure. To be honest, im not sure what i would do in your shoes. It would depend on everything else. Maybe nothing.

Multiplemum123 · 24/05/2023 02:35

it sounds like your neighbour is keeping an eye on the situation. If it’s only for 20 mins here & there I don’t see an issue if they are in a tough position childcare wise.
If the times left unsupervised start getting longer & more frequent then I would anonymously report this as it may get out of hand. If social work check it out and find no problem then no harm done but it could be a subtle sign of other issues such as neglect. Children need adults to speak up for them so don’t be afraid to take action.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 24/05/2023 03:08

Instead of reporting them go and help with their childcare.
Be proactive instead of an interfering busybody.

Bramblestar · 24/05/2023 03:25

As a frontline worker in social care, please do report this to NSPCC or your local Social Care. In addition to this if you see this again and have seen them being hone alone you need to ring police straightway.This is not appropriate, even for very short periods. There is allsorts that could happen that could delay them being home.

If you are aware that the children are home alone, you need ring police immediately at that time. police will treat this as emergency situation and will attend to need to evidence the concerns and address immediate safety planning.

Beezknees · 24/05/2023 06:01

I'd report. As a lone parent I know exactly what it's like to be skint and working to put food on the table, but I never left DS alone at that age.

Original poster

ManorHall7 · 24/05/2023 10:28

Daisybuttercup12345 · 24/05/2023 03:08

Instead of reporting them go and help with their childcare.
Be proactive instead of an interfering busybody.

Read the whole thread

OP posts:

redbullhabit · 24/05/2023 10:44

I absolutely think this is wrong. What if one of them started choking? Or what if the parents got into an accident and couldn't return?

I appreciate a lot of 'what ifs' but it could happen and I wouldn't risk it.

CadburyDream · 24/05/2023 10:51

I was reported to ss for leaving my dd (9 at the time) alone for 20 mins one time and I was reported and ss did contact me to speak about it so it’s not true that they won’t care I didn’t leave her with a younger child either just on her own.

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