I'm really worried about a child in my sons class

[ConcernedMum]

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ConcernedMum, I think your instincts are generally right - if you feel that something is wrong there, then you should do something about it. but the main thing that you've said that rings alarm bells is the behaviour at the party which you didn't witness. I think you should talk to the woman who did witness it, and both of you should keep a bit of an eye on the girl and certainly tell the form teacher what you saw in the supermarket and what the other mother saw at the party. it may be that the form teacher also has suspicions and is keeping a look out. and if either of you, or the teacher, see further actions of the mother which would consititute abuse then you should take it further.
not worth approaching the mother in my opinion, you'll just start a war with her and she sounds unpleasant.

You MUST do something and do it NOW.

If something were to happen to that child tonight you would never forgive yourself. You need to tell somene whilst the marks are still there and that is the only evidence they will need.
All that may be required is a word to the mum from someone in authority.
You have a few options but I would recommend eihter
a) ringing the NSPCC
b) ringing your local Social Services - ask for the duty social worker.
You can do both of these anonomously(spelling?).
But please do it now before school finishes.
It may even be a very strange way of this mumm asking for help.

ConcernedMum, what a tricky situation this is... Do you think maybe having a quiet word with the teacher, but obviously being very careful about what you say, might be an option? If she is aware that the little girl has been treated like that, she can keep an eye on her and see if the parents need to be spoken to? I don't have any experience of this kind of stuff, but am always shocked and infuriated when I see parents treating their kids that way (saw a mum calling her 6 year old daughter a 'stupid b*tch'!!!!! just because the girl wanted to grab something in a shopping bag her mum was carrying, I couldn't believe it) Good luck.

but mummysurfer, the only thing she can tell the social services/nspcc is that the mother shouted at her daughter in the supermarket. she didn't see the slap at the party or her face afterwards. it needs to be someone who did see it to report it. maybe the other mother would be willing to do that if she was shocked enough by it?

Agree with everyone here! That is shocking. How old is the little girl?? Not that it makes a difference how old a child is. Bit to smack them on the face SO hard there are fingermarks the next day!!! That's disgusting. It's a horrible situation for you, but I think you should report it so that if they send someone around now thay will see the finger marks too. Good luck, let us know how you get on.

These situations are so difficult aren't they - you want to help the child but you don't want to interfere - it may be that the mum is really suffering and is just not coping but it may be that she is a child beater. Either way the child needs help and so, it seems to me, does the mum. Would it be worth you speaking to the child's teacher just to express your concerns - maybe the school also has concerns but has no proof - your proof may be all they need. What do other mum's think? You say the mum is not very approachable but does she have a friend who is - maybe just asking if after the mum rather than the child.
Otherwise, could you ring childline and ask their advice?

I once rang social services about a child. They presume you want to be anonymous

No one needs to see the injury happening. The finger prints are enough. A socail worker will be able to tell if these are finger prints, when theywere done etc etc
If ConcernedMum has this on her mind then she must pass it on to someone with appropriate expertise.

Childline is a good idea. School isn't particularly as they have procudures that have to be followed and can slow down action/help. By ringing social serveices direct you are in effect by-passing the system.

the kid I was worried about had some qs asked about her at school Iknow that...

Children are SO helpless. I hope you can have it in you to phone the social services or childline to ask what you can do. It is definitely not on to verbally abuse or hit.But I know what a difficult situation you must be feeling yourself in and as children we are taught not to 'sneak', BUT children are not powerful and grownups are.Poor wee child.

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social services

childline and get their advice on how to take it forward

best all round option

personally I would tell the school first, if they are suspecting abuse this would push the matter to the surface

look at that we all posted together with different answers!

Maybe ring NSPCC/Childline for advice and then take it further. Poor child, someone needs to help her.

Very glad you ARE going to do something Good luck.

Let us know how you are get on.

I'm off now as baby waking!!

Please, please call social services, the police, the NSPCC or the school - ideally the school and social services or NSPCC. I personally would call the police like a shot. I feel like Avenger Mummy sometimes. The other day (boiling hot) I saw two young children alone, locked in a car, the youngest just a baby. No car seats. The window was only slightly open and the baby was crying. I called 999 from my mobile straight away - didn't hesitate. Only left when the police pulled up by the rather surprised father who had finally returned. Also told a man in a shop (he worked there!) to come out and tend to his child (again, left alone in a car, crying, and had been there some time) and gave him a bollocking to boot. I think we all have a duty to children who can't protect themselves. Rant over. Please call someone.

good work aloha!! and good luck ConcernedMum, let us know how it goes

Just seen this, glad you are going to take action ConcernedMum. I'd go for Social Services because they are also in a position to help the mother if this is a manifestation of her being unable to cope. We had a party for ds aged 4 on Saturday at which 9 happy children and many of their parents had a very enjoyable, harmonious time and it saddens me so much that not all little children are allowed to take this simple pleasure for granted.

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I regularly think I am quite potty