6 year old boy experiencing emotional neglect, is there anything I can/should do??

[OnEdge]

My FIL has re married and now has a 6 year old step grandson. He opened up a litte the other day and told me of his concerns regarding the boy.

He gets up at 6.30 and goes downstairs and plays Grand Thefit Auto until 8.30 when his Mum gets up. She doesn't get him breakfast, he gets his own, often crisps and sometimes he doesn't have any. He turns up at his GP hungry (that is how they know)

His Mum meets men on facebook and they come round and stay for the weekend. The little boy is introduced them each time, but he never meets them again.

When she is at home, the Mum goes on her PC most of the time and leaves him to play on Grand Theft Auto.

He has a Dad who has left the Mum, and apparantly he isn't very interested in spending time with the boy and will frequently let him down.

My FIL said that his Mum just doesn't care about him. I know that is his interpretation but it is sad.

These are just snippets of information that have filtered through to me, but it is starting paint a picture.

I looked at Grand Theft Auto and there are scenes of rape, violence, murdering prostitutes etc. he is only 6.

Should he be allowed to continue?
Should I mind my own business?
How can I help him ? Should I want to help him?

It is hard to stand back and know that this is going on, I think he deserves better out of life.

Grandparents can apply for leave to apply for residence or contact to a child under the Children Act, HOWEVER this is a very big step and as your FIL is not a blood relation and has only known the child for a little while I don't think there would be much mileage in an application by him.

I'd suggest that he reports his concerns to the NSPCC and/or social services.

The GP look after him a lot, every morning and afternoon and all the school holidays while his Mum works. I asked FIL if he could live with them, and he said no because they only had a 1 bedroomed flat. He has been married to the boys GM for 10 years so has known the little boy since he was born.

Could I report this to the NSPCC /social services? Could they help him?

Its certainly neglect and desperately sad and bringing home strangers from facebook
However, if they make a complaint your FIL has to gauge whether or not anything can be done about it. The upshot may be that the 'mother' won't let the Grandparents see the child which would surely be the worst possible outcome

Oh, sorry, I read that "FIL has remarried" bit as though this was all recent.

You could report it, but it would probably be better coming from someone who sees the child regularly so can provide a first hand account of the neglect. Perhaps you could ask your FIL if, in the event that you do report it, you could pass his details on to the authorites so he can give them all the info they need.

If you have any concerns about a child (however small you think they are) then it is your responsibility to report it to the Social Work Department (Child and Family Service). Even if you do it anonymously they still have a duty to enquire. Its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to children. Even although you dont think he is subject to physcal abuse, he is neglected both physically and emotionally and this will have an impact on his development. I urge you to do something about this, I def would. Good luck.

Yes I think I will. I don't think FIL would do it. His wife definately wouldn't so I am going to contactt them anonymously and tell them all I know.

I'm crappin it, but its not about me is it. Just hope I don't make things worse for him in anyway, his Mum might take it out on her Mum and step Dad, mind you she needs their childcare so that she can work so duobt she would withdraw their access.

Gone are the days when Social Workers land on peoples door steps and remove their children, she may actually get more support: someone to prepare his breakfast, a befriender to take him to clubs, parenting classes and so on. Fingers crossed it makes a positive change. I always think the rule of thumb is that if you feel uncomfortable with whats going on then do something about it (altho I know its not an easy thing to do). I hope it all goes ok, take care :)

Yes, I think you should call (from recent experience). Poor lad.

You could check with your local authority about parenting courses. Ring the Family Information Service at the LA and ask. Usually a Social Worker or Education Welfare Officer would need to refer her, but she could refer herself...

... if she is ready to accept that her lifestyle is damaging her young son. Could your FiL have courage and raise it with her? She might not know any better and need help to change her ways. She probably grew up in similar circs.