JLF-R-1 Staff Procedures for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect

STAFF PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, § 51A-51G, any public or private school teacher, educational administrator, guidance or family counselor, nurse, or social worker, as well as certain other professionals who in his/her professional capacity shall have reasonable cause to believe that a child under eighteen years is suffering serious physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse by a caretaker, including sexual abuse, or neglect, including malnutrition, shall immediately report such conditions to the Department of Social Services.

The guidelines below are written to assist Wayland Public Schools staff in the handling of suspected abuse and neglect cases.

1. Each Wayland Public School shall maintain a designated Child Abuse Team for assisting in the response to cases of suspected child abuse. The Child Abuse Team shall include the building Principal who, upon being notified by a staff member of suspected child abuse, shall then become responsible to make the report in the manner required by the law; a counselor, the school employee with the initial concern, and any other staff members whose membership might be helpful (e.g. teachers, METCO specialist, nurse).

2. The school employee who has the initial concern will contact a member of the Child Abuse Team.

3. The Team member will convene an immediate meeting of the Child Abuse Team to discuss steps to be taken in order to determine whether and when to file a 51A report. These steps may include:

a) Gathering additional information from the child.

b) Gathering additional information from other people familiar with the child and his or her situation.

c) Consulting with the Department of Social Services.

4. The Team then decides by consensus whether or not to file a report. Nothing in this procedure relieves any mandated reporter of his/her mandatory obligation to report cases of suspected child abuse and/or neglect as defined by the statute.

5. If the Team decides that a 51A report will be filed, the Team determines who will telephone the report to DSS (Framingham Office 508-872-8122 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and after 5:00 PM or on the weekends, 1-800-792-5200). It is recommended that the school administrator complete the required written forms. DSS requires these forms to be submitted within 48 hours of the oral report.