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Spurgeons and Dad.Info doesn’t investigate reports of abuse or neglect. But below, you can find advice on who to contact if you have concerns about a child or young person.
Reporting a concern
It can be difficult to know what to do if you think a child is at risk. It’s important to remember that if you’ve spotted things that don’t seem right, others will have too. Speaking up can make sure that child gets help as soon as possible.
The sooner you contact your local children’s social care duty team, the quicker they can act. They’re available 24 hours a day, and can make an anonymous report if that feels safer. If a child is in immediate danger, please call the police straight away by dialling 999.
Report child abuse or neglect to your local council
Use these links to get in touch with your local council:
Hi, apologies if this has already been asked. I have two children, who I have regular contact with, but don’t have set days at mine. I paid my ex wife on a private agreement and on top paid for a lot of other things, including travel to school when she moved out of the area where the school is, travel to college, clothes, school trips, basically everything that fell outside of household expenses. My oldest left college and went to university, and my youngest was never home. He spent most nights with friends in the town where his school was, so I questioned with my ex what I was actually giving her money for, as I would of rather given it to him to pay the people he was staying with and to help pay for any food he needs. The ex didn’t take kindly to that, and reported me to the CSA for non payment. I now pay an agreed rate through that. I was still giving money on top to my son to pay his travel to college. In February this year my son decided college wasn’t for him, a few months later and he now has a job. I have continued to pay CSA. I was recently contacted by the child benefit as someone had reported my ex for fraudulently claiming child benefit. I confirmed my son was working and no longer in education. He is 17. I then had messages from my ex as she had a phone call, and she said that the CSA had said I had reported her and asked questions about my son. I have now had messages from her saying what I had done had backfired as I would still have to pay as he works 24 hours. My understanding was that the number of hours he works is irrelevant as it is based on the fact that he isn’t in any education. Please can you confirm?
Not a lawyer but my understanding is that child maintenance is up to age 16 only, unless the child is both under 20 and in full-time education studying for BCSEs, A-levels or equivalent. The number of hours your child works is not relevant; the fact he is not in full-time education is.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service/eligibility
Hi,
CMS are rigid. If child benefit case is still open, then CMS would expect you to carry on Paying maintenance. Payments should stop when child leaves full time education. They expect resident parent to inform child benefit office of any changes.