What silly things have you been reported to social services for

[hellena37]

A few days ago, I received a letter from social services stating they had information about my kids and asked me to get in touch ASAP. I rang them and was informed that someone reported me for throwing out furniture they gave me and therefore feared that my house was unfurnished. They said they wouldn't take any action as it seemed minor. I knew exactly who had reported me. I wrote him a letter and told him never to turn up at my house again.
What petty things have you been reported to social services for?

Don't think it's a silly reason but I was reported when my toddler had an unexplained fracture and delayed presentation to A&E as she showed no signs of discomfort until we noticed the swelling. It was fine in the end - the orthopaedic dr and paediatrician were both happy it was was an accident (very common minor fracture caused by falling onto an outstretched arm) and we didn't even see the social worker - they just phoned me to say no further action would be taken. Was a horrible 24 hours though as they wouldn't let her leave hospital.

Oh. No, Sevo, I meant people on the thread in general. I should have said you all...

I was reported last week! Because my neighbour was concerned they hadn’t seen much of me and my children. During a lockdown. The social worker sounded like she wanted to crawl back inside herself. I understand why they got in touch given the DV risk at the moment but fuck knows what possessed my neighbour to phone them. Bizarre.

@REdReDRE well what did you expect them to do

Its not always about the company you keep. We could hardly stop dsis having contact with her own teachers or youth worker.

@Rubyred24 I didn't criticise them, so not sure what your question means?

The thread is about "silly" things you've been reported for??

What a strange thread.

I reported someone after a lot of soul searching. The person has 3 children under 5, and had the first when she was 15. It happens, right? No biggie. Except by the time she was pregnant with the second one, her boyfriend had evicted her mother from the house (the tenancy is in the mum's name) because they clashed over his treatment of the girlfriend. He is violent towards her, yells at her and the children all the time, won't let her have a mobile phone, won't let her have her bank card (he takes it with him when he leaves the house). She has become agoraphobic and he buggers off for days at a time, leaving her with no money, no phone and often low supplies of food, milk and nappies. When he is there the pair of them smoke weed from morning to night. The children are oddly quiet and you never hear any of them, even the baby.

I reported because I was worried that the violence the children were witnessing would traumatise them, and because I was worried about her being in an abusive relationship. Social services visited and put the children on child protection plans, they had not been aware that they had had a third child and that had been a concern because they had been involved with the family previously. They make regular visits now and the violence seems less frequent so hopefully things are improving.

I would be horrified if they knew who had reported them, because I'd be scared of reprisals, but I know they don't suspect me as she has confided in me about the SS involvement. The whole reporting thing was so difficult to do that I can't imagine why anyone would choose to make false allegations. I can only assume they are malicious and spiteful, because even if you know you are in the right it is not a nice thing to do.

This thread is about 'silly things you've been reported for'. A SS report for delayed presentation at A+E is not silly. Its how child abuse is caught out.

Also, its not 'I reported someone once for something legitimate'.

Some of the people that have got the hang of this thread though have some hilarious replies.

Social Services are so idle they have enough time to inquire why someone got rid of furniture? Really?

Equally, I have to report people to SS through my line of work fairly often. Just getting through to someone is hard enough, let alone getting anyone to actually follow it up. Usually its just 'logged'.

So im amazed social services actually followed up some of these reports.

My mother was maliciously reported against by someone she had reported.
Details would be too outing but let's just say this woman had been engaging in some gross behaviour while having her 2 young kids in the house. So my mum reported her, which was difficult in itself, then a few months later she got reported back.

My mum got really upset about the whole thing, she was absolutely in bits just before they came round to check out our house.
The person who came round was quite nice and seemed to understand that it was a "revenge" report.

That's the extent of my family's interaction with social services but I was still hesitant to write it here, and I dont talk about it because there's a very real perception that if you have had any contact with social services then you must be guilty of something.

We were reported to social services when ds1 was about 11 days old. We had been released from hospital at 10 days and had a midwife visit at 11 days. I had spotted a bruise on him and queried it with the midwife. It was on his foot and about the size of a 1p coin so pretty substantial on a newborn.

We had to go to hospital to get it checked. A report went to ss after about 2 doctors couldn't identify the bruise. Then a consultant came in, rolled her eyes and explained it was a failed cannula attempt from the hospital stay.

Actually in hindsight it was really good because she checked him over and noticed he was having breathing difficulties. We stayed in for a further 3 weeks.

Apparently that report will stay on file despite the fact that it's inaccurate. We didn't have any follow up

The ignorance about SS on MN is shocking.
"Most of these did not happen though"
and that kind of attitude really grates me.

'Oh you must have been known to SS before'.
'Or else where did they get your address from'?

God give me strength.

I have helped 4 families when they were reported for spurious reasons, one had no SN, but was just a complete over-reaction of 'concern' by school teachers.

The others, mostly related to ASD. Once again poor practice by school teachers.
And poor practice by SS.
It took weeks to resolve.

I was reported to SS for crying every day. Perhaps fair, but this was 3 weeks after the sudden death of my boyfriend! And I'd specifically explained that it wasn't in front of the children. SS were also confused when they spoke to me and ascertained that part, then promptly closed the case.

The person who reported me was the student support worker at college. I'd gone to ask for a 2 day extension on an essay deadline. Fuck knows what she thought she was doing.

Oh dear op forgot to specify lighthearted

I almost got myself reported if that helps? School nurse rang to see if everything was ok I said yes the hospital said they dont think he drank it and just a taste would make him spit it out anyway she was like what? I said the alcohol rub ds swallowed that is why your calling? Umm no but tell me just how DID ds swallow hand rub?

I've been reported twice.

People seem to be getting confused here. People make malicious calls all the time. sS have to follow them up. Usually by a phone call - they have quick check with you and then generally speak to school to make sure no other concerns.

My ex reported me. I beat my children, they are violent, I'm drunk all the time, I'm violent. Blah blah. I completely understand why I received a phone call.

I was able to explain that actually I was pretty sure these referrals were from me who I had an injunction against. Was being investigated by the police for harassment and has bought the house next door to me.

Oh and he also reported me to the police for stealing his recycling boxes and the police attended my house for that one as well. Turns out he actually ordered the bins to my house and then reported me to the police demanding I be arrested!!

@Oblomov20 how many of the incidents posted before my comment do you really think social services have the time for

Jeez this lighthearted 'funny' thread has got a bit heavy since my last visit.

TBF it was never going to be lighthearted, not when you’re talking about SS involvement.

@iloverock, oh god, he moved in next door to you? Is he still there?

TBF it was never going to be lighthearted, not when you’re talking about SS involvement.

True. It was a bit of a strange thread anyway

It was!