Child told teacher about mom hitting her which is not true

[sanakhan84]

Hello
I am looking for some advice about Amy neighbors child. Family is very well educated and always seen happy with kids outside. Few weeks ago school called mother and asked to come to school
Daughter ,6 year old had a scratch on hand and she told teacher mom hit her. Mother was shocked to hear this in school. School said they are obliged to tell social services about this incident. SS was involved and told parents to take daughter home. Or they can report this to police if SS is not allowed to speak to child first. Child said same to SS that mom hit me but no further information.
Mother and father are totally confused as what to do. Daughter had a delayed speech so whether she is doing this without knowledge or intention cannot be figured out but parents are so worried that this may happen again.

Anything advice as what parents could do.

Thanks

I think they comply with SS, there's very little else they can do.

How are you so sure the mum didn't hit the child? She's told two separate adults that she did...

Well it might happen again. 🤷‍♀️ You can't stop a child from telling their teacher things, even one with delayed language.

I think a lot of parents would be surprised as to the things children tell trusted adults at school.

In this scenario, you have absolutely no idea whether it's true or not as you are a neighbour. You have formed an opinion that the child is a liar based on the fact that the parents are well educated and the dc look happy.

I can assure you that this is not enough for forming that judgement. I've met parents who seem absolutely delightful and who have good jobs and lovely homes who are capable of child abuse.

The social worker will let the parents know what will happen next.

They need to work with social services. The child could be telling the truth, or it could be untrue or it could be somewhere in the middle for example mum accidentally scratched or bumped child, you don’t know.

Well educated people still abused their children.

Perhaps mum scratched daughter with her nail accidently so daughter sees that as a hit. It doesn't really matter though. The child isn't going to be removed for this, the parents work with SS perhaps get signposted to other services that can help if the daughter has more substantial needs than previously thought.

Perhaps mum scratched daughter with her nail accidently so daughter sees that as a hit

Yes, or maybe the mother punched her daughter in the face and the daughter isn't lying, the mother is.

IThe parents should co-operate with Social Services. A lot of children have individual incidents like this on record. Social Services will only get seriously involved if other evidence emerges suggesting that the child is genuinely being abused.

Is it really a scratch? I can't believe school would notify SS without good concern. For example one child I know told their parent was hitting them regularly but school decided not to inform SS as there was nothing corroborating it. They weigh things up I think.