Would you call social services?

Number1008 · 2025-08-15T18:31:47+00:00

Not sure what to do? Neighbour is a young mum of 3, have seen her young child more than once run around the street with no clothes on. Completely naked. Would you call social services? Or have a chat with the mum?

disappointedconfused · 15/08/2025 19:35

one of mine often wanders round the front if I’m putting the bins out with no clothes on if theyve been in the paddling pool ….i don’t see the issue personally but context is everything ….if he’s running off giggling clearly gotten loose from the garden or whether he’s wandering around naked with no parent in sight and distressed is two different things

Longnightmoon · 15/08/2025 19:37

street with traffic? I would call NSPCC and ask for advice

Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 19:38

Yes it's quite a busy road , cars going up and down all day. The young child was full on naked today whilst throwing a rubbish bag into the road. The mum was nowhere in sight. I have seen the child naked before running across the road to chase a cat. I thought it was a one off, but by seeing it twice in a matter of a month is wild.

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WhenYouSayNothingAtAll · 15/08/2025 20:27

How long does it take mum to notice/go after him?

Out neighbours’ toddler used to knock on my door stark naked. Luckily we live in flats , so no wandering off outside. I just waddled him back . After the third time , mum started chaining her door.

RepoTheGeriatricOpera · 15/08/2025 20:31

It would depend on the mums reaction for me.

If she doesn't notice quickly and isn't chasing after him/ just doesn't seem bothered then I probably would report it.

(I say this as someone who had a child bolt every chance they could when they were younger,I put all sorts of safety measures in place so they couldn't escape and was always on it within 10 seconds).

MrsVino · 15/08/2025 20:33

How old is the child ?
Toddler ? Could it be due to heat ?
SEN issues ?
An older child/ teen ?
Context is everything.

steff13 · 15/08/2025 20:33

Are these the same three kids as in this thread?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5392633-report-to-social-services

MJ1980 · 15/08/2025 20:35

Definitely needs advice if child is naked and in public with no adult in sight. Anyone could take them

Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:35

Mum doesn't call him in, he just walks all around the street, and she doesn't seem bothered, front door is wide open and all her kids and dog are in and out all day. The child is around 2 I think, not sure about sen issues. I just don't know what to do, as I don't really know the mum tbh.

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Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:36

MJ1980 · 15/08/2025 20:35

Definitely needs advice if child is naked and in public with no adult in sight. Anyone could take them

This was my thought. And with the cars going up and down all day, I'm scared they could get run over too as they have no road awareness.

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ChangeOfTheName675274 · 15/08/2025 20:36

Report.
would you be able to feel happy if something else happened and you hadn’t tried to report it.
worst they can do is visit and assess, might be the help the parents need.

Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:36

steff13 · 15/08/2025 20:33

Are these the same three kids as in this thread?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5392633-report-to-social-services

No this isn't the same thread

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PoppySaidYesIKnow · 15/08/2025 20:38

Based on everything you’ve said yes this appears to be a safeguarding issue and you should look up and call your local authority children’s services department.

3WildOnes · 15/08/2025 20:38

So when you see the toddler alone in the street, presumably you return the child back home- what does the mum say?

Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:45

3WildOnes · 15/08/2025 20:38

So when you see the toddler alone in the street, presumably you return the child back home- what does the mum say?

I tell the toddler to go back home, and he just doesn't acknowledge me, the mum is nowhere to be seen

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Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:45

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 15/08/2025 20:38

Based on everything you’ve said yes this appears to be a safeguarding issue and you should look up and call your local authority children’s services department.

I will get on this thank you

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beAsensible1 · 15/08/2025 20:47

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:45

I tell the toddler to go back home, and he just doesn't acknowledge me, the mum is nowhere to be seen

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He is 2. Take him home. Not leave him wandering about the street and cars?

that would be a natural point to mention that you’ve seen him about a few times naked running near cars…

3WildOnes · 15/08/2025 20:54

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 20:45

I tell the toddler to go back home, and he just doesn't acknowledge me, the mum is nowhere to be seen

Show quote history

Why don't you return him home and let the mother know or sit with him and call the police to let them know that a toddler is wondering the streets unsupervised?!

AngelsWithSilverWings · 15/08/2025 20:54

The nakedness is a red herring. I'd report just because he was running across roads at 2 years old without a parent supervising him.

mrsc2k25 · 15/08/2025 20:57

I’d have to report this
imagine if he got taken or ran over. It could be prevented

MJ1980 · 15/08/2025 21:06

From what youve described a call to SS for them to deal with

Iloveagoodnap · 15/08/2025 21:07

What do you do when he ignores you? At that age I would be trying to get him to hold my hand or pick him up to keep him from running off and take him home - then I would speak to the mum and see how she reacts. If she is tearing her hair out because he’s a little Houdini and can open any lock she tries I’d have more sympathy than if she just shrugs her shoulders and doesn’t care he was at risk from traffic etc. If I felt she wasn’t trying to keep him safe then yes I would speak to social services to tell them my concerns. I’m a foster carer so couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t help a child who later ended up hurt or worse.

cestlavielife · 15/08/2025 21:09

Take child to your house
Call police

Original poster

Number1008 · 15/08/2025 21:13

Iloveagoodnap · 15/08/2025 21:07

What do you do when he ignores you? At that age I would be trying to get him to hold my hand or pick him up to keep him from running off and take him home - then I would speak to the mum and see how she reacts. If she is tearing her hair out because he’s a little Houdini and can open any lock she tries I’d have more sympathy than if she just shrugs her shoulders and doesn’t care he was at risk from traffic etc. If I felt she wasn’t trying to keep him safe then yes I would speak to social services to tell them my concerns. I’m a foster carer so couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t help a child who later ended up hurt or worse.

Today when I told him he should go see his mum to help put clothes on, his siblings came and just stated at me and was holding his hand. And I said you should go get mum to help him and they literally just stood there. And then when I was walking back towards my house he started to kick a rubbish bag on the road. I have contacted nspcc via email, for advice.

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BookArt55 · 15/08/2025 21:30

Ignore the nakedness bit for a second...
He's running out the front door, unsupervised, near a road. More than once. No parent in sight.
I would report.
The nakedness could simply be because of the heat, potty training, a kid that likes to get naked.
If the mum was instantly chasing after him it would be a different conversation. But no parent is chasing that child to make sure they are safe. That is worrying.