to do nothing about a child claiming to be beaten?

[tatt]

She has a lively imagination because she had told me quite involved stories before, without a grain of truth in them. She's stayed overnight and I've taken her swimming and there have never been more bruises than you'd expect on a very active child with no sense of danger (like small bruises around the knees). Father works away a lot and mother has other (older) children and works so is stressed.

I know its terrible if kids are abused, tell an adult and no-one believes them but I don't want to destroy a family for a child who I believe is making it up. I've never seen the mother hit any of the children and I know the usual punishment is to send them to their room. The father is good with the children. So I really don't believe anything much is going on, perhaps exaggerating a slap. But then you see the ads saying listen to the child......?

If it was my child inventing stories I'd be gutted if anyone believed them enough to report it.

No time to read intervening posts. Sorry if repetition

Why not ring Childline anonymously for advice (i.e. don't report officially to any authority at this stage) - you can tell them what you know about the child and what was said, and they can advise you accordingly. They might be able to offer complete reassurance or they might suggest further action. Whatever - they are the experts

tatt - best thing to do is call the experts and ask for their advice.

social services do not disrupt families for no good reason.
They would talk to the child at school before involving the family, they are more subtle than you might think and really know what they are doing.
have you any training in talking to children about possible physical abuse? If the answer is no, you should seek advice. Simple as.