Neighbour screaming at kids (and sounded like she hit them)

[storypushers]

Just that really. Thin walls. We've heard plenty of shouting at kids and they will definitely have heard us. Tonight seemed different though. She sounded very out of control. Kids were crying, obviously distressed not just being 'naughty'. It sounds like she hit one of them (or both of them) a few times. (I think). Their crying got louder. She was shouting 'you've ruined another fucking night'. As I said just out of control. I know kids push buttons but it sounded far worse than the usual 'get to bed' 'put your shoes on' etc.
is this the kind of thing people report? Who would I even go to with this? Is this normal? Any advice?
For content she's late 20s and the kids are 8 and 6.

So if you heard a woman being hit and screamed at by a bloke you'd get help, Id hope, but not when it's a child being abused and hurt?

What is wrong with you? Is this uncomfortably close to how YOU behave?

It's social services' job to do the adding up, and the looking at patterns. The problem is that if nobody reports until they've got enough to be sure there's a problem, social services don't get to do the adding up.

Well done for reporting. To echo what other posters have said, the best thing you can do is report. This enables professionals to build an understanding of the family and determine what action, if any, is needed to safeguard the children or vulnerable adults.

No, she's hearing child abuse.

Shouting swear words at your kids whilst they're screaming is abuse.

It shouldn't be excused.

its a hard one. My mum used to literally tear a strip off us and it probably sounded like WW3 was kicking off but we weren’t abused or in any danger. On the other hand you need to be mindful that she might not be coping and is losing the plot. I would keep your ears open and keep a diary and if a pattern emerges definitely report

If you report and there’s nothing wrong, no harm done. If you don’t report and there is something wrong, those kids could be in danger. In this sort of case I’d be over cautious.

plus if mum is struggling you may open an avenue for her to get support too.

I think you’ve done the right thing.

But i don't think it’s right to be all “no harm done” about it. It is harmful. It’s absolutely devastating to have SS involvement when it’s not merited. I understand why it happens and why it has to happen but let’s not pretend it’s not harmful.

I reported a child from my son‘s drama class on the basis of some facial bruises and a worrying comment from his dad. I spoke to the NSPCC helpline for advice and they recommended I reported to the police using 101. NSPCC and police both said I had done the right thing. I didn’t hear anything further and still see the child regularly at the class. I think you’ve done the right thing, OP. No child is removed from their parents on the basis of one report, but if several people express concerns it builds a picture.

I said to myself - if the police knocked on my door and said they wanted to speak to me because someone had reported a concern about my son’s welfare it would, without a doubt, be the worst day of my life. But I would still want to live in a world where people who encountered my son were looking out for him and doing their part to make sure he is safe and protected, even if they got it wrong with me.

Absolutely shocked at all the people saying not to report. Definitely report! Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility,

Hear hear @musicalfrog

SíDoMhamóí · Today 07:55
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No don't report. Jesus the people on this thread.”

Why, exactly? Had people phoned 999 when I was 2-10 years old, maybe mum and I wouldn’t have been beaten/sexually abused quite as often as we were.

Resisting the urge to say something less polite.

@PabloandGustheGreySquirrels being nearly killed and regular abuse with witnesses is different to what op posted. I'm sorry you went through that and op I read it again...and it does sound worse. Do you feel better for reporting? Have you seen the family today?

Report to the police.there’s little children services can do with a public report that they get in 3 days time. If police attend and see something this will get triaged in line with the childrens needs

it could just be that mum needs some help and advice

Pabloand my friend works as a police officer and she said to me once you'd be surprised what goes on inside some nice middle class homes.

I'm so sorry that no one helped you as a child. I hope you've been able to have a good life since.

social services

I’d leave it if it’s a one off but make a note of date time and what happened in case there’s a pattern.

Zombie thread. 🧟‍♀️

Record it next time ! Play it back to her and SS

If there is screaming and shouting next door and children being hit, could you not just call 999?

What devilish Latin incantations and rites have brought this ancient thread back from the grave?

Begone, Satan, in the name of Pombears. 🧸