I'm sorry, I do not understand why you are so hesitate to make a call to protective services. I myself have made many many calls regarding vulnerable children/vulnerable adults. I don't see how you can lose your job by being careful and mindful of potential abuse. This is actually your duty to report whenever you feel their might be any sort of abuse going on. In informing protective services you are in fact saying, I'm not sure but maybe, please could you investigate and help this family. You are passing the hot potato to the right place. Giving away the hot potato takes the whole stress out of your hands and you'll know you've done your bit. Whilst you say nothing at all, it's on your conscience . Give the hot potato to those that know what to do with it. From what you"ve written it's not only one child as you mention the word children. You could be saving these children.

You are concerned that the parents would know who told protective services and work out it is you. You can tell protective services you want to be anonymous, they may visit or interview you and help you stay anonymous. I've seen this in my work. What are you worried about though? These are parents that may be abusing a child/children obviously need help also, maybe they are struggling to cope. If they immediately took the children out to homeschool, the protective services would see that and keep an eye on things. I hope you can see in making that call, it would improve the matter, not create more abuse and fear. As for trying to get the child to make the call, well yes that can happen but she is already under a great deal of stress and could do with an adult in authority making that call. As a mandatory caller, I would not expect a vulnerable person to make the call themselves. I know it seems daunting the first time you report this sort of thing but in fact you will feel really proud of yourself that you did.