I am very concerned about the welfare of my nephews. Their home is in a state of disrepair that i feel is detrimental to their health. Piles of rubbish in the front room, mouldy food and unwashed dishes piled up in their kitchen area. Plates covered with mouldy food all over the front room which makes their living area stink. Over flowing rubbish bins too. Rubbish all over the floor. The children's room is awful, too. Holes in the walls, mould on the windows, their beds don't have any sheets or covers for their duvets. The boys sleep on an old divan bed base together with a mattress where the springs are coming through. The bathroom smells overwhelmingly of urine and is disgusting. The toilet is black. They do not have tooth brushes for the boys. I'm positive that the house is unfit for human habitation and i am extremely concerned. I am convinced it is a health hazard for anyone to live there. Let alone primary school age children. They have a baby on the way also. I worry for the health of a new born in a place so filthy.
The parents are often verbally abusive. Swearing at the boys and I've often heard them putting them down in extremely adult ways. "f-ing this, f-ing that". They are often subject to violent threats from the parents, too (although i don't think they actually are violent).. threats of "punches in the face" and being "thrown down the stairs". They shout at them, belittle them, and humiliate them. I worry for their health, their mental health and their safety.
I am reaching out to you because i cant think of a way to deal with this. I have spoken to them in a friendly way, I've asked my mum to speak to them, I've told them flat out that it's bad and they should be ashamed... Nothing is making a difference.
They are now having another baby and i am genuinely concerned for the health of the kids.
My question is. Would i be right to speak to social services? Maybe they could help them. I don't want to see the family split up at all. But i really feel something NEEDS to be done.