Leaving a baby home alone...

[bunnyg82]

Surely its better for thousands of parents to be questioned by SS and everything found to be ok rather than one child ignored and at risk?

Absolutely agree with this. Like others have said, to wait until you are 100% sure could be too late if the baby is at risk. Of course, if the baby hasn't been left alone, having SS round to investigate will be distressing, but if you are choosing between upsetting a parent or potentially saving a baby's life, I know which I would choose x

 

[Foogirl]

Did the woman get the baby out whilst your friend was there? Maybe the baby was somewhere else?

If I had a suspiscion, I would first ask the parent then talk to my HV.

I would never leave my baby alone in the house, but remember, it isn't necessary illegal to do so, it come down to whether the child is in danger. CPS may decide they weren't.

But I do agree it is worth notifying the authorities I think as I would feel terrible if something happened and I had said nothing.

 

[shambaby]

i'm pretty sure it is illegal to leave a baby home alone, so it should be reported. i agree you don't need to be 100% certain in order to report - investigating is not your job. however, if you do want to be sure, why not just ask her? asking 'so who watches the baby for you when you pick x up from school?' is a perfectly innocent question which would usually be interpreted as just making conversation. if the language issue makes that too difficult then i don't see how you could investigate more, short of asking the older child. you and your friend need to do what you think is right in the situation, and the baby's safety is more important than the mother's feelings about being investigated.

 

[shambaby]

ok, i stand corrected:

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_070594

but i'm pretty sure a baby would be deemed to be 'at risk' if left alone - they're hardly going to be able to call you if there's an emergency, or get out if there's a fire! so i'd say it is, to all intents and purposes, illegal.

 

[Windmills]

I wouldn't mind if someone reported me, I have nothing to hide. I'd be more upset if someone saw someone else neglecting their child and did nothing. SS aren't actually what people make them out to be, I recently had dealings with them and our social worker was lovely and after 2 visits decided we didn't need her and discharged us

 

[broodyc]

I am a Social Worker and work in a Children and Families team and have come across situations like this previously. I urge you to contact Social Services regardless of whether your friend is 100% sure or not. If you think a child 'might' be at risk, you are better to voice your concerns rather than wait until it is too late. As another poster mentioned, it is better to be safe than sorry. My advice would also be to contact Social Services or advise of when the child is being left alone so that they can be caught 'in the act' so to speak. You would be suprised how many parents get away with things because they either give excuses or flat out deny. If this happens, evidence is key.

Here is a prime example of what can happen when parents take the risk of leaving their children home alone:

https://www.express.co.uk/posts/vie...Baby-dies-in-fire-after-being-left-home-alone


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ed-mother-left-home-closed-bedroom-hours.html

Unfortunately, these cases are few of many deaths of children which could have been prevented.

Sorry if i'm coming across strongly but I guess being in my line of work, I know how important and vital a role that the general public play when it comes to identifying and protecting vulnerable children and infants.

Good luck xx

 

[kerrie24]

Did the woman get the baby out whilst your friend was there? Maybe the baby was somewhere else?

If I had a suspiscion, I would first ask the parent then talk to my HV.

I would never leave my baby alone in the house, but remember, it isn't necessary illegal to do so, it come down to whether the child is in danger. CPS may decide they weren't.

But I do agree it is worth notifying the authorities I think as I would feel terrible if something happened and I had said nothing.

The baby was in the lounge in a chair when they got in.

 

[kerrie24]

Ive found the number,Im going to ring if my friend is worries about doing it,it was all I could think about last night.

 

[broodyc]

In terms of the law, it is illegal to leave young children at home alone. Once the child reaches the age of 12 is where the law becomes a bit misty ie. Is the child emotionally and physically mature enough to be left at home alone. Even then, the parent has to ensure that the child is left with a key, contact numbers, knowledge of what to do in an emergency.

If parents leave children particularly those under 12 at home alone they would most likely be charged under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Whether or not these charges will result in a prosecution and/or conviction depend largely on the circumstances. The punishment can range from a fine to ten years’ imprisonment.

The court is to likely to take into account the age and maturity of the child, for how long he or she was left alone and the arrangements to ensure his or her safety.

Also to add that in order for the parents to be charged, there must be sufficient evidence and not based on hearsay ie. caught in the act which is why it is so important for members of the public contact Social Services and/or Police while offence is being committed. If such a phonecall is received, it is dealt with as a matter of Child Protection and worker would be out to the house as a matter of urgency.

I think you are doing the right thing Kerrie xx

 

[kerrie24]

Well,I had allready made up my mind but after speaking to my friend today I learnt a couple of extra things which make me sure we have done the right thing in reporting our concerns.

1-the baby wasnt in a chair,he was in a baby walker,by himself-crying,in the lounge.There is a step going into the kitchen which he could have fell down and got seriously hurt!
While my friend was there he continued to cry and the mother went in the kitchen and shut the door ignoring him.
There is a boy of 2 aswell and he had scratched the excema on his face till it was bleeding but she didnt clean it or put cream on or anything.Its like she tries to pretend the kids dont exist.

2-My friend asked the 5 yr old(because the mother doesnt speak english) who looks after your baby when mummy goes out,and the little girl said-"the police will take mummy if the baby stays in the house by himself".
I think this sounds like she has been warned by her mum not to tell anyone.

Anyway,we walked past to get her door number and we have phoned them with our concerns,so I just hope they can help her as I think she needs some support.

 

[yumyum1979]

i would , but i did report someone before for same sort of reasons and it turned bad for me so i would stay out of it , but at the same time i would do something ? but you have to be 100 persent sure as i thought i was

 

[mumoffive]

Sounds like you have totally done the right thing. Lets hope she gets the support she needs for the sake of those kids. Anything could have happened!

 

[Aunty E]

Oh no those poor kids. I hope it's a misunderstanding, but what a rotten thing to do to a little girl, putting that sort of burden on her not to tell it makes me so sad

 

[mumoffive]

i would , but i did report someone before for same sort of reasons and it turned bad for me so i would stay out of it , but at the same time i would do something ? but you have to be 100 persent sure as i thought i was

Its never going to work out good for the person that reports someone. Surely t hough its done without having to give your details?

 

[kerrie24]

My friend didnt have to give her details.

 

[mumoffive]

My friend didnt have to give her details.

Thank goodness...although she may guess but unless she was told i doubt she will ever find out for sure. At the end of the day, your friend did the right thing
.

 

[kerrie24]

My friend didnt have to give her details.

Thank goodness...although she may guess but unless she was told i doubt she will ever find out for sure. At the end of the day, your friend did the right thing
.

This is what my friend is worried about,but like I said to her,they cant prove it and if one of her neighbours noticed her going out without the baby,the dads at work and the baby is screaming in the house,they might of rang anyways

 

[broodyc]

My friend didnt have to give her details.

Thank goodness...although she may guess but unless she was told i doubt she will ever find out for sure. At the end of the day, your friend did the right thing
.

This is what my friend is worried about,but like I said to her,they cant prove it and if one of her neighbours noticed her going out without the baby,the dads at work and the baby is screaming in the house,they might of rang anyways

You have absolutely done the wright thing by the sounds of it. What you mentioned above is quite worrying ( The Social Workers who will go out will never disclose your or your friends identity unless they had your consent as the system is there to protect members of the public who refer their concerns.

xx

 

[Foogirl]

In terms of the law, it is illegal to leave young children at home alone. Once the child reaches the age of 12 is where the law becomes a bit misty ie. Is the child emotionally and physically mature enough to be left at home alone. Even then, the parent has to ensure that the child is left with a key, contact numbers, knowledge of what to do in an emergency.

If parents leave children particularly those under 12 at home alone they would most likely be charged under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Whether or not these charges will result in a prosecution and/or conviction depend largely on the circumstances. The punishment can range from a fine to ten years’ imprisonment.

The court is to likely to take into account the age and maturity of the child, for how long he or she was left alone and the arrangements to ensure his or her safety.

Also to add that in order for the parents to be charged, there must be sufficient evidence and not based on hearsay ie. caught in the act which is why it is so important for members of the public contact Social Services and/or Police while offence is being committed. If such a phonecall is received, it is dealt with as a matter of Child Protection and worker would be out to the house as a matter of urgency.

I think you are doing the right thing Kerrie xx

No, there is NO legal age limit for leaving a child alone. The act of leaving a child alone is not illegal. The child must be proven to be at risk before it becomes illegal. It is up to the CPS to prove that risk and a jury to be convinced of it. If a child is asleep in a cot then it may be that in itself is not risk enough. If a child is left in a room full of scissors, that would be more clear cut.

That's not to say I think it is a good idea and I would never do that, but it is a common misconception that there is an age limit for leaving a child alone, and there isn't.

 

[babyloulou]

In terms of the law, it is illegal to leave young children at home alone. Once the child reaches the age of 12 is where the law becomes a bit misty ie. Is the child emotionally and physically mature enough to be left at home alone. Even then, the parent has to ensure that the child is left with a key, contact numbers, knowledge of what to do in an emergency.

If parents leave children particularly those under 12 at home alone they would most likely be charged under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Whether or not these charges will result in a prosecution and/or conviction depend largely on the circumstances. The punishment can range from a fine to ten years’ imprisonment.

The court is to likely to take into account the age and maturity of the child, for how long he or she was left alone and the arrangements to ensure his or her safety.

Also to add that in order for the parents to be charged, there must be sufficient evidence and not based on hearsay ie. caught in the act which is why it is so important for members of the public contact Social Services and/or Police while offence is being committed. If such a phonecall is received, it is dealt with as a matter of Child Protection and worker would be out to the house as a matter of urgency.

I think you are doing the right thing Kerrie xx

No, there is NO legal age limit for leaving a child alone. The act of leaving a child alone is not illegal. The child must be proven to be at risk before it becomes illegal. It is up to the CPS to prove that risk and a jury to be convinced of it. If a child is asleep in a cot then it may be that in itself is not risk enough. If a child is left in a room full of scissors, that would be more clear cut.

That's not to say I think it is a good idea and I would never do that, but it is a common misconception that there is an age limit for leaving a child alone, and there isn't.

But surely a baby would ALWAYS be deemed to be at risk if left alone therefore making it illegal! A baby can't get out if there's a fire- therefore it's at risk!