Am I out of order if I report this to child services?

[Em94]

For background my job involves safeguarding and if this was discovered through work I would 100% be reporting but in this instance I’m not sure it’s my place.

I have bought something off Facebook market place and been to collect today, upon arrival no one answered the door so I waited in the car and tried again.
a boy aged 9/10 answered the door & i asked if there was an adult home as I was here to collect something. The boy got the item for me let me look at it and told me his parents were in bed. (I didn’t go inside, this was all at the doorstep).
he was dirty, unclean toe nails, the house smelt and you could see the clutter everywhere. No curtains open.
I can’t stop thinking about it and unsure whether it’s my place to do anything

When you delete a message that’s come through fb marketplace it’s gone forever and they won’t be able to find you through that

well done for reporting

Of course you should report it. I don’t understand if your job “involves safeguarding” why you would be hesitating! Remember, reporting a concern is simply raising it for the professionals to look into. It’s not being judge and jury on the issue.

Sorry, I see now that you have reported it 👍

Well done OP. Can't have been easy. 100% done the right thing. I'm a teacher and very experienced with safeguarding issues. I'd have done the same.

For background my job involves safeguarding and if this was discovered through work I would 100% be reporting but in this instance I’m not sure it’s my place

I'm really quite shocked that someone who works in safeguarding has this attitude :-/
Why would whether you are at work or not make a difference? A child at risk is a child at risk! Surely in your safeguarding training they told you that it's everyone's responsibility.
I also work in a safeguarding role and have had to make out of work calls several times for things I've seen including a friend telling me that her neice had disclosed physical abuse by a family member, a baby sitting on a child's lap in the front of a car, and a man shouting threateningly at, and then throwing his daughter by the arm into the backseat of a car outside NEXT.

It's a pain when it crosses into your personal life, but would a policeman turn a blind eye to a fight or a nurse not help administer first aid to someone having a medical episode just because they weren't on duty? Of course not.It is our responsibility as trained professionals to always be vigilant and seek help where necessary for these vulnerable children.

You seriously have a job in safeguarding and you don't know what to do???

^ This
Poor child, he may already be in the radar but I would still report.

Yes report it, you are in safeguarding. So you see the red flags, definitely mention it to whoever you can do.
I am guessing this was in the day time, so why are the parents in bed and the kid isn't in school.
Plus it cannot be safe for young child, answering the door to a stranger, who calls to the house, they could be an type of weirdos.

I’m sure it’s been said but you can anonymously report with NSPCC!

If your job involves an element of safeguarding then you know you are supposed to report it. Your duty bound. Your training and responsibility doesn’t fjnished just because you’re off the clock.

Perhaps the parents weren’t really there. Perhaps he’s been abandoned

All sorts of questions are crazy in my mind right now.

please report it and follow it up. Push until you get a satisfactory answer.

keep us posted

If you work in a job that entails safeguarding then you know its everyones job. Block them on Facebook & report

Please report this.
Without going into too much detail, I was put in the same position with an adult family member, they were neglected due to tragic circumstances.
No one knew..
I made the call for help, and happily, they are doing so well now and things have really changed for the better for them.

You too have the power to change things for that little lad, don't hesitate.

I would report that.

Please do report, you have the knowledge to know it should be reported

Not correct

Have a chat with the NSPCC for advice

If you work in a role with children I've been taught you would be detrimental in that role to not report it. I would mention it to the Safeguarding person at work or ring your local safeguarding number and report it.

It may not seem important but every piece of jigsaw helps get a child support if it needs it. I've rarely seen reporting do anything except help kids and their families.

The Universe sent you to that house for a reason. You must respond to this cry of help

There is absolutely no question here. Of course you should report it.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure children are protected. Please report what you have seen. Social services will gave a chronology on this child d as no your information will be added to it. It helps professionals to see a bigger picture not just what the parents present to the social worker. Do it

The OP has already done the right thing and reported it. If there's a benign reason for the situation, then it doesn't matter, but 8f the parents are struggling for whatever reason, it may be the call that brings some help into the family's life.

It's good practice to lock down your Facebook profile to anyone who isn't a friend.

Report it. It might be part of a bigger picture.

Well done @Em94 x

Whilst you're upstairs sleeping?