Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Page 3 of 3 | First | Previous | Next | Last
| Flip | Customise |

Concern about neighbour’s child

(53 Posts)
Add comment | Report
Germanshepherdsmum Sat 27-Jan-24 16:37:37

You mentioned two children. How old is the other one? Are they left with the 11 year old?

It’s not against the law to leave a child of 11 alone provided they’re safe. If you think he’s being left to fend for himself for long periods then if it was me I would make sure of the facts and make a confidential report to social services rather than speaking to the mother. Hopefully the school will deal with the truancy. I would just be concerned about his safety and the ability to get mixed up with some wrong ‘uns.

Add comment | Report
Sparklefizz Sat 27-Jan-24 16:32:14

So-called "nosy neighbours" can save childen's lives. I'm not suggesting this child is being abused, but I think you should say something.

Add comment | Report
Midnightblue Sat 27-Jan-24 16:23:09

I think our next door neighbour’s child is being left alone. He is 11 or 12. The mum is recently a single parent, her husband has just left her and 2 children.

I am on good terms with her, just to have a brief chat if I see her getting in/out of her car. Recently I have noticed the boy is taking odd days off school, as we hear him playing football.

If he is just not going to school, that is between the neighbour and the school. When I’ve asked him about going to high school he says he doesn’t like it.

I’ve assumed my neighbour was working from home, but I’ve noticed her car isn’t there all day. During the summer holidays he played in the garden with his friends when I knew his mum was at work, I assumed one of his friends’ parents had charge of them, but I’m not sure now.

He may be playing truant without his mum’s knowledge, in which case I would have thought the school would have been in touch. Or he’s refusing school and she’s too harressed to do anything about it.

Should I say anything? I would feel terrible if something happened when he was on his own. On the other hand I don’t want to be a nosey neighbour. Unfortunately her best friend on the other side of the house has moved away, she would have talked to the mother about it.

What would other GNs do?

Page 3 of 3 | First | Previous | Next | Last
| Flip | Customise |