Baby in pub / drink/drugs- serious concern - social services/police?

[Cirenmilch]

Hi, advice please.
Aibu…posting here for traffic…

My son told me of a young-ish mother (aged 25) out in a pub last night (a sketchy rural one - bit of a law into its own). She is a friend of a friend of his and I know who her mum is but not the young mother’s name. She was with her 8year old and her 7 week old baby apparently. She was plastered. People tried to get her home but she refused. Let loads of randoms hold the baby . Also had drugs on her (and used coke) and her older child was apparently sitting there fully aware as she took it from her bag in front of child as though it was totally normal then buggered off outside for ages. Everyone (the group of young lads including son and others she was with) was very worried and mortified by this.

I said I was really concerned to hear about it and son agreed it was awful but when I mentioned reporting he was very reluctant. Doesn’t want to cause trouble etc. I said I’d drop it, but I can’t can I?

Those poor children. And the mother is clearly not coping at all.

Apparently older child was taken away before so I assume social services are aware of her. Should I just ring them with my vague knowledge and pass on my concerns? Am I sticking my beak in? It’s so sad.

I am also furious with the pub for turning a blind eye to it all.

I know nothing about social services…would be grateful if anyone has any advice for me.

Reported to MASH Social services team. Gave all details I had and they will handle from here on.
Hope the mother and her children will receive the support they so clearly need.

100% report it to both social services and the police even if you only know the grandmother's name it's better than nothing as it's a place to start and tell the police about that pub. Those poor kids.

Thank you so much for reporting this. Child safeguarding is everybody's responsibility. I'm involved in child safeguarding and am aware of cases where babies have become seriously, as a result of ingesting a tiny amount of cocaine.

Re. the comment made "the locals look out for each other", however in this case they don't seem to look out for babies and children.

Social services don't just swoop in and remove children, unless there are very significant concerns. They try and work with families to keep families together, by offering support. Their assessments/reports are based on speaking to other professionals I.e. education, health, Police etc. Also, the courts are involved in decision making for children. Parents are always encouraged to seek legal representation, to ensure fair process and effective participation.

Sadly they are probably used to it and probably already know her

I'm glad you are reporting. It sounds like there could already be social care involved with the family so this might help build the bigger picture.

SS don't just remove children lightly. If they do it will be because the children are at serious risk.

As pp said cocaine in breast milk is extremely dangerous for one thing. It's also really dangerous if there's a chance a drunk person may fall asleep with a baby.

Well done OP. As the saying goes, safeguarding is everybody's business.

Well done, OP. We need more people like you in the world.

I’m sorry your son’s judgment is terrible. Why doesn’t he care about these kids?

I’d tell my son that sometimes in life you need to do the right thing, and you cannot turn a blind eye to neglect of children. I’d report regardless what he wanted, it’s one of those situations where welfare of children takes precedent. I’d ask him how he would feel if no-one reported and the young baby died.

Well done OP for reporting this.

I agree with this. Also would there have been cctv at or near the pub op? Maybe police could check it? I called the police before when I saw a mother who looked like she was having a mental health crisis on a bus, her child was with her. Everyone ignored it. Police checked the cctv on the busses to see if they could find her.

The pub were utterly negligent to allow this.

Pubs are not social services. They just serve drinks, trying to make a living.

Surely, in such a small village/town they - everyone - knows what's going on...

She will soon be "outed".

Those poor kids.