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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Report children left alone over 12hrs?

28 replies

Hattieandcake · 09/09/2025 23:13

For about 4 months there have been more than one day a week ( more during holidays ) where I am aware of 2 children under 10yrs left alone due to 1. Lack of childcare 2. Socialising by a single mother with not much family support. I don’t want to get involved but feel this is a safeguarding issue - although there would be no proof if investigated as she would deny ?

OP posts:
KaitlynFairchild · 09/09/2025 23:14

Yes, you should report this to social care

Seriouslychild · 09/09/2025 23:14

You're only just thinking of reporting this now?

Choconuttolata · 09/09/2025 23:19

Definitely a safeguarding issue that you should report with dates, times, examples of reasons why, whatever information you have.

Imagine if there was a fire for example and they couldn't get out to safety. Remember those poor 4 boys who died in a fire in 2021 after their mother Deveca Rose left them alone in the house to go to the shop.

Original poster
Hattieandcake · 09/09/2025 23:22

Yes the fire is the issue I am worried about - I only found out recently that they are locked in.

OP posts:
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/09/2025 23:28

Do you know (and will you know) at the time when they are alone, or have you found out now that they have been left alone in the past?

Lavender14 · 09/09/2025 23:29

Absolutely report. If you know they'll be left alone in future then I'd report it then so it can be caught at the time and not denied as well as a log of any times its happened in the past.

Original poster
Hattieandcake · 09/09/2025 23:37

I won’t know exact days unfortunately …

OP posts:
Bannedontherun · 09/09/2025 23:37

You should call 999 next time you know they are left home alone as soon as you are aware, the police will attend as a priority safeguarding issue

DorisTheParrot · 09/09/2025 23:49

Op please report this to social services. I was that child once. Left alone for hours on end. Unfortunately (with my situation) it was only a symptom of a much larger problem.

Social services will speak to the family, investigate and put support in place if needed. The kids won't necessarily be removed

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/09/2025 23:52

But will you know on the day? If yes, call 999.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 09/09/2025 23:53

Definitely yes, especially if locked in. It's hard to do the right thing sometimes but you won't regret it, it really is the right thing to do

Ohmygodthepain · 09/09/2025 23:56

Jesus fucking Christ.

You MUST report this op. Those children don't have a voice and need an adult - any adult - to advocate for them. Their mum isn't, for whatever reason.

Please report. School if you know where they go, police, nspcc, council safeguarding.

Be their voice in their scared world

CountryQueen · 09/09/2025 23:56

Nah, just leave them to it until it’s too late…or maybe do the right thing and ring the police?

Lavender14 · 09/09/2025 23:58

I wouldn't risk it if you won't know. I'd ring their school and make an anonymous report so the school can follow it up in partnership with social services.

If you know it's happening you ring the police and report it immediately.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/09/2025 00:01

Of course you need to report this! I'm surprised you haven't already done so.

There's no "minding your own business" about neglect or abuse of children.

Ohthatsabitshit · 10/09/2025 07:51

How much under 10 years old?

WhatNoRaisins · 10/09/2025 08:16

If it was the odd hour or so and they were older primary I wouldn't be too concerned but 12 hours is too long. I'd report and if you have got it wrong and you've just not noticed a babysitter coming over then no harm done.

Chobby · 10/09/2025 08:17

This has been happening for 4 months and you’re only just thinking about reporting it?

LIZS · 10/09/2025 08:37

Try nspcc to start, ideally you could find an example

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 10/09/2025 09:04

@Hattieandcake how old are the children?? I have been in this position but the kids were being left all day 7 and 5. they were being left alone all day from 8am to 8pm. I just phoned the police and they came then contacted the social work department and the parents at their work. dad came home and granny appeared the next week from abroad, to live. you have to do it.

tripleginandtonic · 10/09/2025 09:32

Don't phone school, phone social services or police.

Natsku · 10/09/2025 09:40

If they're being locked in you need to call social services as soon as possible (and police if you know they are being left alone at the time you call). If there's a fire they might not be able to get out.

PornOfCopia · 10/09/2025 09:45

Whether or not it can be proven is not your problem. You have a responsibility to report. After that it's down to social services to decide what to do.

rainbowsparkle28 · 10/09/2025 09:48

Yes report to social services. And any incidents where you are aware of them being home alone, if happening there and then contact the police.

MummaMummaMumma · 10/09/2025 09:49

You definitely need to report this. They are in being neglected.