CM Club: Need advice on CP issue :(

[WhatWouldYouThink]

Hi CMs, I have namechanged as I was going to ask your opinions on a few incidents over the past month that are nothing as lone things but together don't look too good for the family I mind.

I don't want to go into details too much for obvious reasons, but on writing down these little things together, I know I am going to have to pass my concerns on.

Have any of you cms had to do this?

What is told to the family?

CM'ing is much more personal a situation and I am worried about things turning tense or nasty, or simply being left high and dry (this WON'T stop me from reporting it but it is a worry as I live hand to mouth).

Have you got reporting procedures from your local council (I got mine from the Early Years Safeguarding Training laid on by the Council)? You can ask them what procedures you need to follow. You will also need to get Ofsted involved and they may actually have some useful advice for you to follow. All depends how serious it is. Write everything down somewhere that you can keep the notes secure, in case you are asked anything at a later date.

Yes I have all that, I am going to get on the phone today, I am aware of the procedures, just don't know what will happen from my setting POV, for example will parent be told of each incident reported? Will they be told where report came from, etc?

It really depends on what the concerns are - change in child's behaviour, unexplained/contradictory accidents, possible neglect, concerns about parent drinking or being depressed. You can contact children's services anonymously but as you are in a professional role with the child it would carry more weight if you explained your position. If they need to investigate they should not tell the family who raised concerns, so unless some info is something only you would know then it could come from a family member, friend or neighbour.

You may have a copy/have seen this, if not it may be helpful: What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused.

It's a difficult situation; good luck with getting it resolved.

I was in this situation just after I started minding, had the same concerns as you have, but we have a local ss phoneline for childminders and I called them for advice. it turned out the family were known to them and they then put actions in place to give more help and support. I was told to tell parents what I had done, because they would figure it out for themselves anyway. Always keep written records of any concerns, conversations, etc. I felt awful at the time, and cried buckets, but at the end of the day what I did helped the child who is now thriving, although no longer in my care. Too many people 'turn a blind eye', I'm now pleased I picked up the phone. I had my inspection this week and inspector was impressed that I'd done it and with the records I had. The hardest part I found was that at the time, there was no 'support' in place for cms who are in this position - we can't talk to each other because of confidentiality and data protection, unlike in any other profession where you have problems/concerns. Happily, that has now changed and I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again. Good luck11

BTW, didn't mean that to sound like you're turning a blind eye . sorry

Much as it may be horrid to do so - I agree with others - you do need to tell the parents that you have concerns....they will work it out for themselves otherwise and I suspect we are meant to discuss with parents anyway - unless it is a serious abuse situation or you think the child will be at further risk if the parents find out they have been "shopped"