Young child alone in park- safe for now but what next

[watchuswreckthemic]

Long one for context/
We have a local small play park which is on the road of a bus route.
Tonight there were a few small teenage groups behaving lovely (some who I recognise), some dog walkers around and a young child.
I assumed the young child was with the dog walkers until she came into the fenced off play equipment and started to engage with me and my youngest.
They asked me to push them in a swing etc and I asked 'do you live close' to which she replied 'I live there' and pointed at a house. I then asked 'are you allowed to play here alone' and they said 'yes my mum knows, she's in bed but I'm okay'.
We left soon after (7pm) but I said 'I think you should go home' etc repeatedly but she stayed.
When I got home my child indicated that they knew this child was about 5.
Via the teenagers I know parents and the teenager themselves etc we know she got home safe this time (as in a vague report from one of them, after a few of the girls trying to encourage her home it seems she did let herself in). Feedback from them is her mum is of the angry sort.

I'm genuinely worried. She had her uniform on so I know what school she attends (infants!) and I know the office staff and teachers from my kids going there.

AIBU for making a safeguarding type of call tomorrow to the school?

Of course not. You’d be unreasonable not to.

I belong to the school of thought that safeguarding children is not only everybody's business, but is actually the main purpose of society. So I would make a call. But lots of people will probably tell you to mind your own business.

Yes I would report this to the school, there is no way a 5 year old should be playing on a park unattended. The fact the child seems fine suggests this is a regular occurance. It's a safeguarding concern and you should absolutely report to the school who can take things further.

get straight onto the social worker tonight. Don’t wait till the morning . If any thing happened you’d never forgive yourself.

Sorry, are you saying that you left a 5 year old child alone in a park at 7pm? Did it not occur to you to walk them home or even ring the police? I am genuinely disgusted that someone could be so negligent towards a child who is already neglected.

I would make a safeguarding call (or send an email), but stick to the facts. Don't call the school and tell them that a teenager told you her mum is 'of the angry sort'. That's just gossip.

Jesus, I would have called the police, my DD is 4, the complete lack of a shit you would have to give to let your 5yr old go to the park alone, poor kid.

No if you read through I made sure she got home. At the time I thought she was about 7ish which is the age at that park alot of kids (not mine) are allowed out to.
But I will be following up.

Thank you. Not sure why I even posted this really as it's all I can think about.

No you are right. I don't know lots of identifying information but enough that I think the school will know.

Thank you: I've just replied to someone else that I barely know what I posted this- I will be doing this it's all I can think about.

Sorry OP I wasn’t criticising you, her parents are just awful. Definitely report.

Ring the police!

I don't know enough for them to track her down tonight and it does seem to be really regular from what I've since found out.
School first thing and if they don't give me a good response then SS it is.

Totally agree. I know the school enough to have a decent call I hope, and I hope they know the child as I don't have alot of identifying information. If it's not a good call I will contact SS.

Absolutely not taken that way.
I'm the only local parent that seems to go with their child, lots go alone. Wish I had realised how young she was initially but glad I know she got 'home' but thats not enough.

You know her address OP. That’ll most probably be enough for her school to identify her.

Thank you. I'm not going to give up on this child.

You definitely need to report this to the school. They have processes in place. Poor kid 😞

You are all so right. I posted this because it's all I can think about and I will. As per posts below I'm not going to give up on this child.

Definitely report. 5yso & out alone asking strangers to interact with her? No wonder it's playing on your mind.

I'd ring SS and give them the information about the school. They can contact the school. It's not a school matter - they are not responsible for the mother's awful parenting. Maybe you think the school will report it but why take a circuitous route. The school won't give you any information about names or ages or anything. It is appalling that a five year old was left out at that time with no supervision. My late mother believed that parks were simply swarming with paedophiles, and to be fair she might have had a point, but she would never have dreamt of allowing me to be there at 5 years old and after 7 pm - I still give any shrubberies in parks a good hard look even today. I certainly wouldn't be letting a five year old out unaccompanied either.

If you know the address I'd report directly to social services. If you tell the school they may not report it but maybe they have made reports before and SS investigation came back child not at risk. Multiple reports from different people will mean more than multiple reports from the same source.

Yes, safeguarding call.
I did similar for a nearly exact situation except for a 3 and 5 year old left unattended. turns out there was an issue so im glad I did.

Thanks all for the support. Made a couple of calls and I can't go into detail but feels like it's being taken seriously.