AIBU to wonder if I should escalate safeguarding concerns further, or is it no longer my place?
Separated from my ex last summer. There are currently a non-molestation order, occupation order and prohibited steps order in place due to escalating domestic abuse and concerns about risk to our two young children.
During the relationship he had a significant hidden alcohol problem. I was regularly finding multiple bottles of alcohol hidden around the house, often spirits, and he would be drinking heavily from the morning onwards. He had a very high tolerance and could appear outwardly “functional”, but there were clear signs of impairment to those who knew him well.
There were several occasions where he had driven after drinking large amounts, and I found open alcohol in his bag after he had picked the children up from nursery (I obviously stopped that continuing). I did report concerns to the police at the time but they were never able to intercept him. I also reported to the DVLA, but as far as I’m aware they relied on self-reporting and no further action was taken.
As part of ongoing family court proceedings, he has undergone multiple hair strand tests and a PEth blood test, all of which have shown chronic excessive alcohol use over a sustained period (all months significantly above chronic excess cut-offs). There has been no evidence of engagement with support, and he continues to deny having an alcohol problem.
CAFCASS are aware and made a section 16A referral due to concern about risk to our children. The local authority and health visitor are also aware of the concerns. The court is aware.
My difficulty is this: he works as a college teacher and also does private tuition (some in person). Given the level of alcohol use evidenced, I find it quite worrying that he is still working with young people unsupervised. It seems absurd to me that someone could be considered too high risk to have any direct contact with their own children yet be allowed unlimited direct contact with other people's kids. If I found out my child's teacher was known to be an alcoholic and had been removed from his home for domestic abuse I would personally be horrified.
I appreciate that agencies are (rightly) focused on our own children, but I can’t shake the concern about wider safeguarding/public safety- particularly around driving and working with children.
At the same time, I’m very conscious that:
- I may not have the full picture of what action (if any) has been taken
- There are limits on what I can share given court proceedings
- Escalating further could have significant consequences (including financially for our children as if he loses his job they won't get CMS).
So AIBU to be wondering whether I should raise this further with anyone, or do I step back and accept that it’s now in the hands of the relevant agencies? WWYD?