if you have any concerns, take her to the GP to be checked over. If the mother is struggling to cope with her daughter, she needs assistance. Presumably, there is no dialogue between you which does not assist otherwise, you may be able to help her. Putting the child's saftey and best interests at the forefront of you mind, you must report any concerns to social services and if ever you feel that the child is at risk of harm with mother, get immediate legal advice. You will know that parenting young children is not easy. There may be a reason for mother behaving towards her child in this way. Of course it is never acceptable but it is important that the appropriate qualified professional work with mother to find out the cause and offer assistance to mother where possible. As regards contact with this family member, a contact order may be applied for at your local county court. Following investigations into whether the contact is in the child's best interests, an order may be granted. It assists that mother has already applied to the court. Q. Dear Harjit I am am very worried about my sons safey in the hands of my ex partners she has fall custody of him and i have my son every other weekend but the weekend she does have my son she still wants to go out with her friends and the person she has baby sit my son when she goes out has