Should I contact NSPCC or am I being dramatic?

[memphiser]

DS is 5 and goes to his dad's house 1-2 nights per week. His dad has always been pretty crap. Bit of a selfish bastard.

He's meant to be having DS for two weeks straight soon.

There's a few things he's done in the last few months that mean I'm uneasy sending DS:

1. DS told me that he left him home alone to go to the shop when he was unwell to get food and medicine.
2. DS' clothes often come home smelling of cannabis and/or cigarettes.
3. DS has told me that directly after his dad tells him off, he shouts "fuck off" in an "angry range".
4. DS is mixed race, his dad is white. He often fails to do DS hair despite me repeatedly asking. DS ends up with messy, dry, damaged hair.
5. Apparently lets him sit in front of the TV/XBOX for hours on end.

I was thinking about calling the NSPCC helpline for advice, but not sure if that's overkill?

I'm afraid that the only things on that list that might raise concern for professionals are the leaving him home alone and shouting. Ime neither is likely to be viewed very seriously. However I think that phoning NSPCC and talking it through with them will be good for you personally and they may have a different view. It can't hurt, so I would personally do it.

I would phone Gingerbread for advice. They have a good helpline. Sounds like he's being neglected being left alone, on games all day and the drug taking is unacceptable. Obviously shouting at him and swearing is unacceptable. Get some advice and take it from there.

Thank you both.

If there are drugs involved (even a suspicion) I'd call them for advice. Leaving him alone at that age even for a short while is also totally unacceptable.