School called social services!!!

[larson]

I am totally outraged.
There is absolutely no hints within our happy middle class family that there might be any child abuse going on. However, the door rung today and when I opened I was greeted by two ladies from the social services who informed me that the school reported possible child abuse in our family. They asked to interview each family member alone, in a separate room including my 4 and 6yr old kids. Although they could not find anything 'suspicious' they have to continue their investigation, including contacting police, local agencies, seeing the kids further in school and doing more home visits.
Apparently the teacher asked my 4yrs old what do her parents do when she is naughty and she told them how daddy beat her brother once when he was naughty. Off course there is absolutely no beating going on in the house, and both kids a very happy children!

The school had never raised any concerns with either of the parents and I am so upset and frustrated with this situation!

Contact child services and ask. They won't give you any details, but they will tell you that the people visiting you are actually social workers and it was an official visit.

That would be my first call. Then I'd call the school.

Jellibelli- a quick google will tell you. Fake officials is a classic method of gaining entry- everything from meter readers to police.

Tbh even if they werent fake i wouldn't know these people, and would want at least a trained police officer or teacher in with the kids.

I've read the thread properly now. Mrs devere is spot on.

Gizmo I think they have to share info with you about the referral is being made, they can be vague if the referrral came from someone wanting anonymity (a neighbour or relative) but official institutions are named I think

This is so scary. You dont know these people op. You've been treated appallingly.

I'm really shocked that your children were in a room alone being interviewed by a strange adult(s)! I thought they always had a trusted adult known to the child in there?

I honestly can't see these are 'fake social workers'... how would they know children's names, school details, addresses, teachers names the list goes on. It all sounds odd though. What did they say when they left? Were they satisfied with what they found?

inyournightdress

If course I want children to be kept safe but I don't consider a random comment by a four year old as an "allegation" and it must have been a random comment because the four year old certainly didn't approach the teacher apropos of nothing and say daddy beats me. Because he doesn't.

This sounds very strange. What ID did the women show you and have they given you an office number you are able to call?

yes but MrsDeVere I cannot imagine a SW standing on my doorstep saying 'there have been allegations of child abuse' and then insisting on interviewing the children in a separate room.
My dd got interviewed by SS once, and they did it at her school, with a teacher present.

Reading back it does sound a bit odd. But that may be because OP has had a shock?

School and social services have both acted correctly.
In fact school shouldn't have sent your children home until after social services had spoken to them ,because what if your child said was true?
And they were sending a child back to an abusive home?

Fortunately there is no truth in it for you, but there are families where this is the reality and if schools didn't report what then?

The 'beats my brother sometimes' comment sounds like your DH and other son have friendly play fights, in which sometimes your DH beats/wins the game. 'Beats his brother'

Sounds as if the teacher didn't have their common sense hat on with this one.

My DS nearly got us reported to social services when he told his teacher I never gave him breakfast. He failed mention that his dad gave him breakfast at 530 in the morning.

Context is everything.

These threads always becone confusing because social work practice varies across different local authority areas.

" social work practice varies across different local authority areas. "

wildly, it seems.

Yes Mrs de Vere
I meant school were right to report
Wrong to send child home

well that would absolutely piss me off too.

Be grateful they are chasing it up. I know it's shit and in your situation is be upset too.

Just show them what kind of family you are

thanks for all your support and constructive comments.

i picked kids up today at 3:15, the ss ladies came here around 4pm. the allegation were made today and they responded promptly.
i checked their id off course and let them in and to speed things up i let them interview the kids, after all there is absolutely nothing incorrect here. they only left here around 6pm so i didn't get the chance to contact school yet. i didn't think the ladies were unreasonable, i understand they were doing their job hence i decided to be helpful.
no one form the school had talked to me about anything.
i cant help feeling let down by the school. both of my kids are happy fun loving friendly open personalities i cant see how would anyone read abuse from one silly comment. I will have to face the school staff tomorrow and i will have to face this presumptuous teacher for the rest of the reception year.