kids next door taken into care

Rapid Rider

Hi

We have on going issues with the rented house next door. The couple renting it have been having domestic violence issues. Lots of screaming and shouting and banging of doors walls etc. Domestic waste all over the garden and dogs out in all weather.
Myself and the neighbours on the other side reported them to the HSE. Today the kids were taken into care!
I am feeling a lot more upset about this than I expected. I think we did the right thing for the kids!

Today the HSE and Gardai arrived and the kids

iusedtoknow

you did

People like that do not deserve to have kids, and those kids deserve better than that. You need to be applauded and NOT feel bad for this.

Tea-a-Maria

You did.I can appreciate why you'd feel bad,but from what you've said here,care sounds a lot better than what they'd face at home. Think of it like this.What if something had happened to one of the kids and you hadn't reported anything?I'd wager you'd feel a hell of a lot worse than you do now.So try not to dwell on it too much.

miamee

It's likely that there have been other issues and other reports and that the kids were not taken into care based on your two reports alone so rest assured that you were not the only ones with concerns and that the kids should be better looked after now.

December2012

Well done.

You probably feel awful for being right (ie that there was no justifiable reasons for the indicators) and feel bad that the children were in a tough environment.

Now what can happen is
A) the children get proper care
the parents sort out their issues
C) possible reunions with social welfare support.

You did the right thing. If you hadn't
A)

C) - nothing would get better - only worse.

Miaireland

As Miamee said, it is unlikely the children were taken into care because of two reports but even if they were you did the right thing. Children are not taken into care for no reason. Hopefully the family will now get the help they need and the kids stay safe.

Well Done to you. We read awful stories in the media about kids being hurt in their homes (both physically and emotionally).As they say bad things happen because good people standby and do nothing. You didn't stand by and do nothing.

freshpopcorn

I don't think you would be at fault for the kids being taken into care. The HSE often deals with complaints about kids and they need to be a real concern for the kids to be take into care.
If the parents sort themselves out they will get the kids back.

Rapid Rider

Thanks folks. I know I did the right thing I just feel sorry for the kids. When I reported them they already had a social worker assigned to their case!
Rapid Rider

Rapid Rider

Thanks folks. I know I did the right thing I just feel sorry for the kids. When I reported them they already had a social worker assigned to their case!
Rapid Rider

Mayboy

You did exactly the right thing. Imagine how you'd feel if they were found neglected for years. You gave them a chance and all too often nobody cares enough to give kids a chance.

Not nice to have them in care but nicer than being in that.

Chances are that your complaint was one of many, as I doubt social services would come out if it were just one. You did the right thing, OP. Some people just don't deserve to have children.

CuppaCocoa

Well done, you did the right thing. Now please ring the DSPCA about the dogs. I would imagine they're suffering also.

Rapid Rider

lilybarlean wrote: »

Well done, you did the right thing. Now please ring the DSPCA about the dogs. I would imagine they're suffering also.

The Gardai called the dog warden who took the dogs away!

Catari Jaguar

I am a primary teacher and I see alot of cases of children being put into care - generally to a relative or close family friend. It's not as though they'll be put in some Oliver Twist style orphanage. Some of the kids seriously thrive with foster parents and is the only stability they have ever known. The HSE will then organise regular meeting between the social worker, the parents and the class teacher. The children will talk to the social worker and possibly a school counsellor/ life skills coach. There is no blame or chastising of parents, only giving the support and tools they need to properly raise their children. You did the right thing. I have to legally record and report ANY suspicions of abuse that I have just as protocol.

Big Bag of Chips

Rapid Rider, I'll lock this thread now as PI is an advice forum, and you are not looking for advice as such. You were worried about whether you did the right thing, I think it is obvious you did.

I can also guarantee the HSE and Gardaí would not have shown up and taken the kids away from their home on the basis of a phone call from you and the neighbour. And as you said, they already had Social Worker, so the wheels were already in motion. Your call wouldn't have influenced the case at all, as you would not have told them anything they didn't already know and were already trying to help the family with.

You were right to make the call though. Too many people ignore the warning signs, until we hear about poor kids in the news.

All the best.