reporting

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

would you make a report to family services/docs if you thut the welfare and education of 2 children were at risk/being neglected?

[3already]

It would depend how suspicious i was that there was a genuine risk, if i was in any way sure there was something bad going on then without a doubt.
I had a friend a few years ago in the UK who had a son with a skin disorder that meant he marked very easily if knocked, someone saw him and reported that my friend must be beating him, first thing she knew there were social services banging on her door telling her she had been reported for possible child abuse. She had to go through this awful assessment and get doctors reports etc to prove she wasn't beating him.
It knocked her for 6 and it took her ages to get over the shock and trauma of being suspected.
Just thought i'd share that, as things aren't always as they seem..its a very tricky situation isn't it? :no:

[delirium]

It would depend on the circumstances, and whether I knew for sure abuse was occurring. For example, I might hear lots of screaming from a child; I wouldn't report that unless I saw the parent hitting or hurting them. My boy constantly winges and screeches with teeth. I wonder what our neighbours think. :o

Can you talk to the person you are considering notifying on? I know that if a neighbour or a friend were considering doing that to me, I'd prefer they talked to me first. You don't give many details so it's hard to judge.

[lovebeingmummy]

Well with the last few days of news I would really think hard about doing it or not.

Firstly I would make sure I had ground reasons for doing it. I wouldn't do it just for a bruise or a few days off school.

As for education how do you know they are missing school? How do you know they are not sick? How do you know they are not being homeschooled?

If I was almost 100% sure or if there was no doubt I would report them.

Yes it may disrupt the life but think of how you would feel if the child died.

ETA Like delirium MY CHILDREN SCREAM all the time. I am sure the neighbours worry but the truth is I don't even smack my children but my dd has "screamed No no don't hit me" with her holding her butt. To the neighbours they would have thought I bash her but to all who know me they would have thought it was funny!

[jag5000]

even if you did call, DHS or DOCS they wouldn't rush right out there.. tell them what you see and they can give you advice. They have a lot of experience in these matters and know warning signs. I'd call - at the very least to talk to them about your concerns

I seem to remember that you are in QLD, right? contact your local child safety service centre (http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/contacts/cssc/index.html) or the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on (07) 3235 9999, 24 hours a day.

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

thanks jag! appreciated for your feedback.