Outrage after young boy called a ‘loser’ by staff at Carryduff soft play area

The comment was made in a staff group chat after the boy’s mum had asked Into The Woods to help find his lost toy

The mum of a young boy who was called “some loser” by staff at a Carryduff soft play area has said she is disgusted that “her child was mocked” when she asked for help finding his lost toy.

Speaking to Belfast Live, the mum, who wished to remain anonymous, said it is a “disgrace” that her son, who is non-verbal with additional needs, was mocked in a staff group chat at Into the Woods, Carryduff, after she had asked for help in finding his favourite toy that he had lost while playing.

She said it was the fourth time that she had attended the play area that week with her son who “loved the place”, saying that it is advertised as somewhere suitable for children with additional needs due to the sensory equipment it has there. However she now says she would never return after the way her son was spoken about.

The concerned mum said that she only discovered what was said about her son when a former staff member made a post on social media about the business which highlighted what was said in the staff group chat.

The message said: “Some loser lost their toy. Search party first thing”, and had a number of laughing reactions.

She said: “It is a disgrace that people who are working at a soft play area for young children would talk about my son like that. To use that language about children is just horrendous.

“My son had loved going to Into the Woods because of the sensory toys that were there and it was the fourth time we had been that week. He ended up losing his favourite wee toy there and I had messaged them asking if they could have a look out for it and sent a pic of my son with the toy. I never imagined that they would then go and mock him.

“I only found out about this from a former employee there and I have been told that the person who made the comment is a manager there, although they have denied that.”

Into the Woods has said that it has apologised for the remark made about the young boy and issued a statement saying: “To address the language used in the message. We immediately gave a verbal warning to the member of staff that make the comment (it was not the owner). They assured us it was not meant with any malice or ill intent but an attempt at ‘Belfast Banter’. We explained to the staff member, that regardless of the intent, it was still unacceptable and we apologies for their behaviour.

“The staff member in question is autistic with learning difficulties and struggles with social cues, they feel deep remorse for the misunderstanding and any upset the situation has caused. We want to highlight that this is not an excuse but simply an explanation. We cannot comment on anything further at this time, due to legal action we are taking against a disgruntled former employee.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter.