DS accused his dad of hurting him

[Thatsnotmyname12]

Hello, not sure where the best place is to post this. Please go easy with me, I'm not a regular poster but I am a regular reader.

I am separated from DS's (3) dad. DS usually sees his dad 1 day per week and lives with me full time.

The relationship with his dad broke down 3 months ago, with DS becoming hysterical whenever his dad came to collect him. DS said that his dad shouted at him and scared him and he didn't want to spend time with him.

Over the past few months, we have slowly built the time up that DS spends with his dad, initially with me being present to offer reassurance. DS and his dad have been spending a few hours alone together each week, for 4 weeks now.

Today, after spending a full day with his dad for the first time in months, DS became inconsolable at bedtime, and has woken up, very upset several times this evening. He says that his dad hit him on the face.
It is very out of character for DS to be so upset and hysterical.

Can anyone please advise what the practical steps are in terms of progressing this legally/with social services? I have never had any dealings with social services. For info, we don't have a court order for contact, just a private agreement.
I will cease all contact with his dad until things are looked into, but I expect that he will strongly push to keep seeing DS.

Any practical advice welcome.

Protect your son OP. Cease all contact with his dad
Report this to social services asap

Call ss tomorrow and report to them what your son has said. Don’t send him to spend time with his Dad. You have to safeguard your child here. I hope your little one is ok.

First, You should report to SS let them deal with it, tell them exactly what DC said. Possibly ask for a referral to a contact centre they aren't available in all areas or will have different criteria but are a good way of maintaining a bond in a supervised environment.

Secondly, is your ex likely to have hurt DS? Does he have a history of being shoutey, short tempered or rough? You can never be too careful obviously but it's not unusual for children to struggle with the transition between parents and to struggle with sleeping. 3 year olds aren't overly reliable and although what he said should be acted upon it is also possible he could be relaying something from a story or TV show, or dad could have accidently bumped heads with him or 'bopped' his nose. Either way dont question him innit the officials will do that and get to the bottom of it. perhaps start keeping a diary of what DS says though with the time and date.