Child Abuse Considerations and Incident reports: making the case October 21, 2013 Kevin R. Gogin, MFT Director of Safety and Wellness School Health Programs

Child Abuse Considerations

 Who Is A Mandated Reporter?  All SFUSD employees are mandated reporters of child abuse/neglect. Anyone who has reason to suspect child abuse or neglect is responsible for making a report to Children’s Emergency Services (CES), also known as Child Protective Services (CPS), as soon as possible. The duty of the mandated reporter is to report suspected child abuse, not to investigate. Child Abuse Reporting

Why must I report? To protect the child To provide help for families Mandated reporters can be held civilly or criminally liable for failing to report suspected abuse, especially if the child/youth is subsequently hurt. It’s the law…

 What is Child Abuse?  California Child Abuse Reporting Law (Penal Code and 11166) states that when the victim is a person under the age of 18, the following types of abuse must be reported by all legally mandated reporters: Child Abuse Reporting

 Physical Abuse:  Any act which results in “a physical injury which is inflicted by other than accidental means” (Penal Code, II 165.6).  Willful cruelty, unjustified punishment, and discipline which is excessive or a result of uncontrolled anger are also reportable. Child Abuse Reporting

 Sexual Abuse:  A sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under 18  Neglect:  Consists of a parent’s or caretaker’s refusal or inability to provide food, shelter, clothing, adequate supervision, or medical care—“acts which harm or threaten to harm the child’s health or welfare” (Penal Code ) Child Abuse Reporting

 How to report:  Any employee who has reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused must call the CES/CPS reporting line.  A Verbal report should be made by calling: (415) or (800)  A Written report, using “Suspected Child Abuse Report” form (SS PC), must be submitted within 36 hours of the verbal report. Child Abuse Reporting

 The reporter’s name, which in certain situations is kept confidential  The child’s name  The present location of the child  The nature and extent of the injury  Any other information requested by the child protective service agency, including what led you to suspect child abuse What Information Needs to be Included in a Report?

 AND Always:  Consult You are not alone! Child Abuse Reporting

A duplicate copy is to remain at the school site and must be placed in a separate confidential file. Do not place the report in the student’s cumulative file Information regarding CPS Reports or investigations must never be placed in Synergy The Written Report …

Making the Case Incident Reports

How much is enough?

 Informs the reader of basic details  Helps inform of next steps  Provides a chronological record What to Consider

 The Events of the Case:  A bulleted account of the details:  Where:  In the playground  Near the play structure  What:  Sarah kicked Emily  Emily fell to the ground  Emily’s knee was bleeding Presenting Issue

 What Happened Next:  Concrete details of the situation after the incident  Staff member Wonder Woman ran to the scene  Staff member learned that Sarah hit Emily first.  Staff member separated students, and called Emily’s caregiver Etc etc Intervention

 What your follow up will be Plan

 Keep reports brief  But thorough  Keep subjective thoughts out of the report  Discretion….  Consult In general

 Pedro was assaulted at home by his mother who used a pair of scissors to threaten him, then sat on top of him, and forcibly cut his hair as a punishment.  The precipitating event was caused by Pedro telling his mother that he was gay.  Pedro tells you this when you comment on his unique haircut.  What steps do you take? Pedro

 You head over to check it out noise from the girls room. As you approach, some girls run out and you discover that several of the girls are harassing Jennifer.  You are told by Jennifer that the girls were making fun of what she had on, and had thrown water on her.  Jennifer is crying.  You learn that this did actually happen, that the ringleader is Melissa, and it stems from a long simmering disagreement over invitations to a birthday party.  What does your report say? Jennifer