Receptionist:
This is Clydetown Social Work Services, Tracy speaking, how can I help you?
Caller:
I am phoning about this junkie woman in our street, she is leaving her three kids at night, she is going out and leaving them, I think you need to get it sorted out.
Receptionist:
Can I take some more details please could you give me the names of the children?
Caller:
She has got these three kids, one of them is about thirteen, her name is Jasmine. The other one must be about eleven…that’s Jack and then there is a wee baby as well, Amber.
Receptionist:
Do you know the address?
Caller:
It’s 23 Donaldson Crescent...top flat.
Receptionist:
Thank you very much, can I take your name please sir.
Caller:
No…I’m not going to give my name.
Receptionist:
Okay… I am going to have to put you through to a senior social worker, but I’m afraid he is not in today…. I will see if I can speak to the duty social worker. One moment please.
Receptionist (to duty social worker):
Anna there is a man on the phone and he is making serious allegations about three children. I think you should speak to him, he won’t give his name.
Duty social worker nods and leaves to return to her office.
Receptionist:
Hello I am just putting you through to Anna she is the duty social worker, thank you.
Duty social worker:
Anna Hutchinson, duty social worker how can I help you?
Caller:
Hi there I’m phoning about this woman in our street, I just said to the lassie at the desk there that I need to speak to somebody about her.
Duty social worker:
Could you give me this lady’s name?
Caller:
Her name is Sharon Donnelly and she lives in Donaldson Crescent, it’s number 23 the top flat. She’s leaving these kids all the time…you are going to have to sort it out.
Duty social worker:
Kids?... How many children are there?
Caller:
She’s got three kids…three okay.
Duty social worker:
Do you know their names?
Caller:
There is a teenage lassie she’s thirteen…her name is Jasmine. There’s another boy, he’s eleven…his name is Jack and there’s a wee baby as well…18 months old.
Duty social worker:
I really appreciate you calling Mr?...
Caller:
I’m just somebody who knows her. You’re going to have to sort this out to be honest.
Duty social worker:
It would be really helpful if I could have your name.
Caller:
I don’t really want to say my name…if you just sort out her…because she’s leaving these kids every night.
She’s on the game…she’s going out every night shooting up as well.
I think it’s out of order that she is leaving these weans there by themselves. It’s really your responsibility,… you are going to have to sort it out.
Duty social worker:
I can understand that you’re concerned, but we can’t just go barging into people homes, you know, with accusations unless you've got some real evidence?
Caller:
But you know her…you must have a file on her as big as…who knows.
Duty social worker:
I’m sure you understand that we do have a duty of confidentiality here.
Caller:
But everyone knows what she’s like and you guys must do too.
Can you help these kids, these kids really need your help.
It’s out of order….who knows who they are hanging out with, you know… I look at the oldest lassie Jasmine…she is hanging about with 20 year olds and before you know it she’s going to be doing the drugs as well.
Duty social worker:
But you can understand that it is very difficult for us to do anything when the person who is alleging these things is anonymous.
Caller:
Aye well, look I’m not going to tell you my name, because before I know it she will be down on top of me and then her folk will be down on top of me as well. So I am just not doing that.
Look…it’s your responsibility….could you get it sorted out. That’s what you’re there to do. So just help out the lassie and her kids. At the end of the day it’s the kids that’s the problem…I mean you’ve got to help them out.
Duty social worker:
I really appreciate you phoning, and I really appreciate your concern here, but as I say if I had more details that would be a lot more helpful.
Caller:
Look what else do you need to know. I’ve told you everything I can tell you. If you get it sorted out that will be fab okay…(hangs up phone…dialling tone sounds).
Duty social worker:
Alright, hello, hello, hello…