Neglected children, how long before someone asks questions?

Question

I know this woman she is in her mid 20s with 5 kids (3 dads).She is a terrible role model for them as she was preg with her 1st at school and has never worked since, just scrounged off benefits popping out kids for a payrise every now and then. Her kids seem to always be at the hospital with something wrong. I am not saying that she beats them because she defo isnt but their accidents all seem to happen because she lets then run riot, too involved with herself to care if they are out playing an wonder miles from home or if they injure themselves round the house because of her carelessness? Social services have been called to her before but will the hospital have the authority to inform them if they think something is wrong?

Can I tell them without giving my details as this is far to close to home for anyone to know that its me. It will indirectly affect my children too (althought they have nothing to do with her situation)?

Answer 1

On a serious note (for once). I think there is a real need to be concerned. I know a woman in a similar situation who drives around in a big 4x4 never straps her kids in, baby always and I mean ALWAYS screaming and the older kids very often dont have coats or school shoes when going into school.
From what I know of her, the father of the older children supports them so there should be no need for them to not have proper coats/shoes for school. Also the older ones do seem to be responsible for the younger ones as she is always to busy to watch them. I think if any of this is similar to the things i've seen it would be worth at least keeping an eye on and maybe taking it further if necessary.
I think the hospitals do report anything like suspicious injuries on a child or frequent injuries so she might get a visit sooner than she thinks anyway.

Answer 2

I think social services should be called. Some people have a misguided view of social workers and assume that a call will result in someones children being taken away, but more times than not it can improve the family 's situation. Maybe she will be offered some support, such as parenting classes. Not everyone is a natural parent, especially if their childhood was less than rosy. She might end up with a better relationship with her children.

Answer 3

You should get on with your life, this mother as you state is who she is and you wont change that.

She is doing what she thinks is right, although many outsiders can see it is not.
You are a little powerless, as there is not strictly any intentional abuse going on just a poor sense of morals, and presumably the children have beds and food to eat and clothing etc (and go to school where they will automatically be monitored anyway) These are the things social services check for in the UK.

These children will grow up not knowing any different, but individually may still grow to become good citizens and learn their own way of doing things as they become adults, they may find they want a better life for their own children, later as parents they may be nothing like their mother was as a parent to them.
It is really just one of those out of control situations in society. You cannot control it.
Nobody is going to turn up and say, "oh, you have three kids with three different dads now we must sterilise you" as she is free to live her life in the way she has chosen.

Unless there is any specific ongoing abuse or neglect then you have to get on with what you are doing.

Answer 4

In the uk, the hospitals have a legal obligation to inform social services if they suspect. This happened to me when i was a child, and i will never be able to thank the informer enough. Please, for the sake of these kids, do something. The school, hospital and social services obviously know about this lady, but it always helps to inform them.

Answer 5

Yes, the hospital will have records of all injuries and whether at the time they suspected it to be NAI - non accidental injury. They can inform social services who have the authority to investigate.

If you have concerns though, that may not have been picked up by the hospital, you should tell, particularly if you feel they are at risk. You can remain anonymous.

Hope that helps.

Answer 6

In the UK, hospitals can certainly make a referral to social services if they feel a child is being neglected or abused.

In practice they tend not to unless the neglect/abuse is serious and obvious. Don't know why that is.

If you are concerned, do make a call to social services. You can do this anonymously - they will still investigate.

Answer 7

As a health care provider you are required BY LAW to report suspected abuse or neglect to children or adults. So yes the hospital does have authority to inform them of whatever info they need. You could always call child protection service or talk to her. If she is a friend of your try to talk to her first. Sometimes people become numb to situations until things are pointed out to them. Good luck. Remember, you always have to take care of the children, even if they're not yours. Children deserve to be protected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

i m sorry to have to say this but we have a major problem in this country,(Ireland) as i feel that social services put more children in danger by leaving them with parents who are abusive against their own children as well as to each other. how can we expect young kids coming out of college claiming to be social workers to understand the mind set of abusive parents these are but children them selves running to the text books every time a problem arise this job of social worker should be given to men and women who have reared big family's without hiccup for years, mark my words its only going to be a matter of time before we discover a new major scandal within our social services system looking after the children in our country that don't have a voice of their own and no i don't think the do good`Er's should jump on board and do this job for them as they will only make it worse.

Answer 9

You can make an annonymous complaint to child protective services. Give them as many details as you can as to the life these kids have with this woman. They have to follow up on all complaints. If enough are made then they really start cracking down on her; she'll have to straighten up or they'll take her kids!

Answer 10

The hospitals in the UK are duty bound to inform social services or the police of anything they think may be abuse, I use the word abuse in its widest context.

if they feel the kids are not being looked after they should make that call.