How bad does home life have to be for SS to be involved?

[HollyGoLoudly1]

Basically the subject says it all. I've got some concerns about a family member and her children. I don't want to go into the specifics of the concerns as it would be outing. I'm obviously not talking about anything immediately dangerous, it's more chronic patterns of behaviour and a chaotic home situation.

I know it is quite an open question and each situation is unique. I just want to know if anyone can give an indication of just how bad a child's home life has to be before SS will get involved to give support? I know they family been previously been reported to SS once (not by me) and nothing has came of it. I don't know whether it's worth reporting again and maybe they would be taken more seriously if more than one person has the same concerns.

There is a bit of a postcode lottery at the moment but things are changing. In some areas even occasional violence isn’t enough for SS involvement, in some areas SS over-engage in the easier cases and under-engage in more complex cases, in other areas SS have the capacity to support even during anti-natal depression when a child hasn’t even been born yet!

The bottom line is if you are concerned about the welfare of a child just report it. You shouldn’t second guess yourself.

Thanks @Ozanj, you're right I shouldn't doubt my concerns. It's up to SS to decide whether they will help or not. I'll call them today.

@Ozanj

The bottom line is if you are concerned about the welfare of a child just report it. You shouldn’t second guess yourself.

This. You don’t have the full picture of info but SS can get more info than you from multiple sources.

I agree you should report it. As long as you give an accurate as possible report, then SS can decide what happens next.

Yes, report if you are concerned and let the professionals decide if they need to intervene.