AIBU to report concerns after collecting toys from a very squalid house?

[Joeydoesntsharefood25]

Aibu to call social services about the house i just bought some toys off Facebook market place?
Went to collect some toys i bought. House is a state from the outside. Filthy curtains, stuff piled up in the windows, very run down. Man opened door and a dozen flies flew out the house. He handed me the toy took the money and left. And then I was hit with the smell. I looked at the toy and it was wet and sticky. Its a washable surface so I put it in a plastic bag in my car. After a few mins in the car the smell hit me. Animal urine. It was god awful. When I got home I dumped the lot in a bucket and covered it in bleach and hot water. I went to message the man to give him a piece of my mind and he has blocked me. Now I am really worried this man has a kid thats living in that state. An adult can choose to live in squalor but a child or an animal cant. Are there any social workers on here that can advise me? The only clue i have that there is a child is that he was selling toys. Now I am going to scrub myself in bleach because I dont think I will ever feel clean again.

That's absolutely shocking that they gave you detailed information like that and not even properly check. Sometimes I'm so glad that I live in Ireland because there would be absolute war if that type of information was given. Our system may be rubbish in many ways but that is appalling.

There’s no way they would actually give out this information.

The man at child protection checked 2 databases while I was on the phone, their data base and education data base and neither flagged anything. He then put me through to ASC

I always look for toys on vinted and market place. I have saved an absolute fortune doing this and its better for the environment. I have had a couple of bad experiences with toys being a bit grubby or broken but most of the time its been absolutely fine.

Would have made my self feel better as I was very cross but youre right it wouldn't have been wise.

To be honest I wasnt expecting them to tell me anything over the phone but both the man from CPS and the lady at ASC did.

No child abuse ever happens on a Sunday though.

Will this experience put you off doing this in future?

What's ASC?

Adult social care

I dont think so. Most of my experiences have been good.

Well that's highly unprofessional of them and I find it hard to believe that they would disclose that information to a complete stranger.
I thought members of the public were able to raise concerns anonymously, but that's their part completed. The social workers are not permitted to give personal information or updates on their findings.
Once it has been flagged up it is their job to investigate.

Even if nothing happens now (not that you’d
know) it is worth referring. It will help to build up a picture in the future.

That's because if the dog has food, water and shelter and no untreated health concerns, the RSPCA can't do anything about it. They can only act within the law, and unfortunately it's not against the law for someone to keep a dog without exercise or company. That's not the fault of the RSPCA.

She says there was a vulnerable adult living there. If he’s has a learning disability he might still play with toys. My own son does and I know a few adults with LD who still get have toys.

Do they sell them on Facebook etc?

Also, we have no idea if he is vulnerable/ has learning disabilities/ is mentally unwell/ on drugs or countless other things. There is absolutely no way to know that, even for the OP. Everyone here is just speculating.

Good for you for reporting this OP. What a kind heart you have. Hopefully if this man needs help he may also get some 🙏 x

Op well done ,somerhng is amiss and why children's toys ??

The adult services already know about the man's situation (as they wrongly disclosed that information to the OP).
It blows my mind how they can discuss personal information like this.
I myself have an adult son with a very severe learning disability and in the past we have been massively let down. He's now in supported living.

So OP knows there’s no child in the house now. But there is still concern for animals in that filthy house. So maybe a report to the RSPCA.

Or a smaller, local animal rescue, if you don't think the RSPCA will investigate.