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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:
My son keeps coming to stay with me and informing me that even though he's 4 years old he has to make his own breakfast in a morning as mummy wants a lie in! As well as that he says his mum makes him clean up dog pooh from the garden, as it's a game?!?!
Should I make social services aware before we start legal process, as I don't want it getting to court and it looking like I don't care.
Hi there
I think it would be a good idea to discuss you concerns with Social Services and also the childs Health Visitor, it then becomes a matter of record and would form part of any report that the court wishes to order.
Although they may not view the breakfast situation seriously, the dog poo is a different matter. Dog faeces may contain, parvovirus, hookworms, whip worms, round worms, threadworms, campylobacteriosis, giardia and coccida. Children are especially vulnerable to infection.
Does your ex have a problem with drugs or alcohol? The "wanting a lie in" sounds very suspicious.