Transcript Crisis Response Training

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
Child Abuse Reporting
 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.
Why must I report?
To protect the child
To provide help for families
It’s the law… Mandated reporters can be held
civilly or criminally liable
for failing to report
suspected abuse, especially
if the child/youth is
subsequently hurt.
Child Abuse Reporting
 What is Child Abuse?
California Child Abuse Reporting Law (Penal
Code 11165 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 11 165.2)
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) 558-2650 or (800) 856-5553
 A Written report, using “Suspected Child Abuse
Report” form (SS8572-11166PC), must be submitted
within 36 hours of the verbal report.
What Information Needs to be
Included in a Report?
 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
Child Abuse Reporting
 AND Always:
 Consult
Consult
Consult
You are not alone!
The Written Report…
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
Incident Reports
Making the Case
How much is enough?
What to Consider
Informs the reader of basic details
Helps inform of next steps
Provides a chronological record
Presenting Issue
 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
Intervention
 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
Plan
 What your follow up will be
In general
 Keep reports brief
 But thorough
 Keep subjective thoughts out of the report
 Discretion….
 Consult
 Consult
 Consult
Pedro
 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?
Jennifer
 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?