Neglect?

[Anon13l]

Hi, i am concerned about 2 children i know who live in my area but im not sure what to do and if the parents are neglectful or not?
The house is filthy and clutter everywhere and it stinks of ciggarettes, kitchen floor covered in rubbish and junk, the dad smokes weed and the mother drinks infront of children, parents always arguing and children are off school alot. The dad smokes cannabis and other issues.
What should i do?

Also the children have yellow teeth and dont have toothbrushes

School, hv or children's services? Nspcc?

You must live next door to them to know all that. I know nothing about any neighbours apart from those living either side of my house and rarely hear or see anything of them.

The children might not actually be neglected. They may be happy and love their parents very much. We cannot always judge from external appearances.

@Anon13l

Also the children have yellow teeth and dont have toothbrushes

Oh now I know you must be having a laugh. Honestly, how do you see into their bathroom? I presume they have a bathroom.

What else can you think of? Nits? Scabies?

It doesn't matter how the OP knows them. Yes this is neglect.

School should have picked this up already if they have low attendance. I would contact school with what you know to help piece the picture together. You can do this anonymously.

Assuming friends or relatives for you to know all this?

And lots of children that are neglected "love their parents very much".[hmmm]

@Maggiesfarm

What else can you think of? Nits? Scabies?

I have been in their house several times as i used to be friends with the mother, used their bathroom and there was no toothbrushes which i suspected because they all have yellow teeth

Sorry that emoji was meant to be at the end of my last message, it wasn't in response of your message OP!

I would report. Such children rely on outsiders like you to speak up. If it turns out to be all good then so be it.

Contact social services and health visitor/school nurse. You could also contact the Safeguarding Lead if they’re at school/nursery.

@Rainraingoaway21

Sorry that emoji was meant to be at the end of my last message, it wasn't in response of your message OP!

I would report. Such children rely on outsiders like you to speak up. If it turns out to be all good then so be it.

Thanks, im not sure where to report it to? the school safeguarding or ss?

You contact social services. You don’t need to make that judgement call if it is neglect there are people who are able to access all the information needed who make that decision.

@DinosaurDiana

Contact social services and health visitor/school nurse. You could also contact the Safeguarding Lead if they’re at school/nursery.

Okay, they are in highschool one in year 7 and the other in year 8.

How do you know they don’t keep their toothbrushes somewhere else??

Social Services, School Nurse and school Safeguarding Lead.

People will probably be along soon to say that you should go round and clean for them and buy them some toothbrushes……

Sadly, I don’t think Social Services would be interested in this, just because the house is dirty and there’s alcohol/ weed involved.

@BluebelllsRosesDaffodills

How do you know they don’t keep their toothbrushes somewhere else??

Its abit strange to not have them in the bathroom, and they have really yellow teeth so i doubt they have any

@BluebelllsRosesDaffodills

People will probably be along soon to say that you should go round and clean for them and buy them some toothbrushes……

Sadly, I don’t think Social Services would be interested in this, just because the house is dirty and there’s alcohol/ weed involved.

Im not sure, the childrens bedroom is really bad too ive seen it

Report to Social Services.

Just an aside that we actually don’t keep toothbrushes on show in the bathroom, they’re kept in plastic tubes in washbags because our bathroom has literally no storage, so annoying.

If you’re concerned you could report it to their school if you know where they go to school, I imagine if they miss school frequently the school is already concerned.

Although if you’re friends with the family surely you can talk to the children and ask is everything okay at home etc? They’re in high school so would be able to communicate and it might be easier for them to tell a trusted and known adult.

And if you were friends with the mother and in their house ‘several times’ did you never think to being any of this up? If my friend’s house was filthy and she was day drinking in front of the kids I’d bring it up to her and say I’m happy to support you because you need to sort yourself out a bit.

Yes sadly, this is neglect.
Contact your local safeguarding children partnership or if you know the school they attend, then the DSL.

@Kanaloa

Although if you’re friends with the family surely you can talk to the children and ask is everything okay at home etc? They’re in high school so would be able to communicate and it might be easier for them to tell a trusted and known adult.

And if you were friends with the mother and in their house ‘several times’ did you never think to being any of this up? If my friend’s house was filthy and she was day drinking in front of the kids I’d bring it up to her and say I’m happy to support you because you need to sort yourself out a bit.

Im no longer friends with her, i just keep thinking about everything and its not normal