Child Protection and Child Abuse

Protocols for

School Division Staff2004

SCHOOLS SUPPORTING CHILDREN IN NEED OF PROTECTION

Responsibility to report

Definitions

Record keeping

Reporting

Talking to Children about Child Abuse

Indicators of Child Abuse and Assault

Child Abuse Prevention

RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT

“Opening the Window of Opportunity”Reasonable suspicion of current or past abuse, or that child

needs protection or might be in need of protection, is sufficient for reporting

Benefits of Reporting:Shows you care about the child -- to the child, to the parent

Every school division staff must report, or cause to to be reported, any case of suspected child abuse relating to a child attending the school (Section 17, CFS Act 1999)

Early intervention opportunity to reduce potential harmHelps parent get assistance/support/education in parenting

and positive relationship-building

DEFINITIONS

A Child in Need of Protection: is without adequate care, supervision, or control is in the care, custody, control or charge of a person

-unable/unwilling to provide adequate care, supervision, or control-whose conduct endangers or may endanger the well-being of the child-who neglects or refuses recommended medical or remedial care

is abused or is in danger of being abused is likely to suffer harm or injury due to their

environment

DEFINITIONS

A Child in Need of Protection (cont’d): is likely to suffer harm or injury in the home

environment is subject to aggression of sexual harassment being under the age of 12, is left unattended and

without reasonable provision for supervision and safety

is subject, or is about to become subject to an unlawful adoption

DEFINITIONS

Child Abuse:is an act or omission by any person where the act

or omission results in any of:a) physical injury to the child (physical abuse)b) emotional disability of a permanent nature in the

child or is likely to result in such a disability (emotional abuse)

c) sexual exploitation of the child with or without the child’s consent (sexual abuse)

RECORD-KEEPING

Date and time of entryFull name and birth date of child referred to

in entrySignature of person making entryAny of the following objective data:

RECORD-KEEPING

Description of injuryDrastic changes or chronic problems with

child’s health or behaviourDirect quotes from child/parent/adultActing out, direct quotes, explicit drawings

concerning protection or abuse issue

RECORD-KEEPINGCHILD PROTECTION/SUSPICION OF ABUSE REPORT

Date:_______________________________

Time: ______________________________

Full name of student: ____________________________________________

School: ________________________________________________________

Nature of concern: neglect physical sexual emotional

Description of Injury: (if physical, include size, shape, colour, location on body -see diagram on reverse side of page)_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Description of Incident: (include direct quotes)

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Description of Student's Health or Behaviour: (include drastic changes, chronicproblems, relevant artwork or acting out)_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________Signature

original document school division copy

CHILD PROTECTION/SUSPICION OF ABUSE REPORT

Date:_______________________________

Time: ______________________________

Full name of student: ____________________________________________

School: ________________________________________________________

Nature of concern: neglect physical sexual emotional

Description of Injury: (if physical, include size, shape, colour, location on body -see diagram on reverse side of page)_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Description of Incident: (include direct quotes)

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Description of Student's Health or Behaviour: (include drastic changes, chronicproblems, relevant artwork or acting out)_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________Signature

original document school division copy

CHILD PROTECTION/SUSPICION OF ABUSE REPORTpage 2 of 2

Full name of student:______________________Date of birth:___________________ ______Gender: ____________Name of custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) (indicate P or G):_______________________________Names and ages of siblings: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address: __________________________________________________Telephone: _____________________Name and address of individual(s) disclosed as (d) or suspected of (s) causingincident (if known):__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL LOCATION OF INJURY

CHILD PROTECTION/SUSPICION OF ABUSE REPORTpage 2 of 2

Full name of student:______________________Date of birth:___________________ ______Gender: ____________Name of custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) (indicate P or G):_______________________________Names and ages of siblings: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address: __________________________________________________Telephone: _____________________Name and address of individual(s) disclosed as (d) or suspected of (s) causingincident (if known):__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL LOCATION OF INJURY

REPORTING

1. Place a call to CFS.2. Ask for the worker for child protection investigations. Record the name of the worker, the time of your call and the date.

3. Give the information recorded on your Child Protection/Suspicion of Abuse Report4. Indicate your opinion on the urgency of the situation in terms of the child’s safety.

REPORTING

5. Indicate the expected time of dismissal from school and whether a parent is expected to pick up the child.6. Provide your name, professional address and its phone number, and your professional duties in relation to the child.

7. Submit your Written Report based on school division protocol.

REPORTING

WHEN YOU’RE NOT SURE whether a report is needed…….Trust your instincts. Your hesitation suggests there may be a safety concern.Consult CFS to discuss your concerns. Based on their experience, they can advise you about the need to report and to whom.

Record the date, time and name of the worker with whom you consulted if the decision is made to not report.

REPORTING

RESULTS OF FAILURE TO REPORT when a report is required…….The child may not receive the protection required and/or may sustain further abuseThe family situation may continue to deteriorate, putting the child (and any siblings) at further risk

The educator (or other adult in a position of authority) could face both legal and professional penalties

The educator (or other adult in a position of authority) could face issues related to self-reproach

REPORTING

REMEMBER:Not all adults in the school building may have had training in the signs and symptoms of child assault or child abuse.

If training has not yet occurred:

Custodians, office support staff, educational assistants, librarians, lunch supervisors and many other adults may need your guidance and support in reporting suspected assaults or abuse.

TALKING TO A CHILD ABOUT ABUSE AND PROTECTION NEEDS

Generally, children display their situations through play, artwork, or disclosure at school because they feel safe.

During a disclosure, follow these guidelines:listenconvey a sense of support and beliefdo not “take sides”report the disclosure

TALKING TO A CHILD ABOUT ABUSE AND PROTECTION NEEDS

Clarify the child’s communication

Reassure the child that you believe him/her

Inform the child that you will help

Remember: CFS, the police and medical child abuse units are trained in interviewing about alleged or possible abuse or assault.

Following a disclosure:

INDICATORS OF CHILD ABUSE AND ASSAULT

Caveat: No single list applies to all types of abuse or to all responses to abuse. Indicators should be used as guidelines only.

Activity: (ten minutes) In small groups, brainstorm and list signs and symptoms that you believe are effective indicators of abuse or assault.

INDICATORS OF CHILD ABUSE AND ASSAULT

Caveat: No single list applies to all types of abuse or to all responses to abuse. Indicators should be used as guidelines only.

Activity Feedback: (ten minutes) large group sharing of common indicators

See distributed sheets from the Child Protection and Child Abuse Manual(s) to confirm common indicators

CHILD ABUSE and ASSAULT PREVENTION

School climateClassroom/school rulesRelationship buildingProgramsCounsellingTeam planningOpen communication

CHILD ABUSE and ASSAULT PREVENTION

The principles that guide prevention and early prevention initiatives are:Build capacities of individuals, families and communities to promote healthy relationshipsEnable people to take control of their health and social well-beingFocus on underlying factors and conditions that affect health and social well-beingDevelop policies and practices that support well-being and safety of all children

CHILD ABUSE and ASSAULT PREVENTION

The principles that guide prevention and early prevention initiatives are based on:Problem-solving at the most immediate levels of intervention through consultation, collaboration and confidential information-sharing

Increased awareness often brings increased advocacy, involvement and responsibility-takingThe school is one part of a larger community: effective preventive programs exist beyond the school

Cultural and linguistic heritage must be respected in all interventions

DIVISION PROTOCOL

Table discussion

Because we care...

We work with children.

It is not easy.

We often work with hurt, untrusting, wary children with equally hurt, untrusting parent(s).

As professionals, we need to recognize our reactions and feelings associated with our personal stories and separate them from our professional duty to report a suspected child abuse or child protection concern.

Because we care...

• We are more inclined to dismiss our own feelings.

• We worry that by reporting, the situation may worsen.

REMEMBER: When we have feelings disproportionate to the event (sadness, anger, frustration, helplessness, unworthiness), our own childhood memories and fears may be reawakened -- seek the support of colleagues. As a colleague, provide support unconditionally.

REMEMBER: No one can predict the future. We must focus on improving the present situation.

RESOURCES for children

Crary, E. My name is not dummy. Seattle, WA: Parenting Press.

Daigle, M. You are not the boss of me. Ontario: Outreach Child Abuse Prevention.

Jessie. Please Tell! A child’s story about sexual abuse. Early Steps.

Kehoe, P. Something happened and I’m scared to tell. Seattle, WA: Parenting Press.

Satulla, J. It happens to boys too…Rape Crisis Centre of Bershire County, Inc.

RESOURCES for childrenBooklets

National Clearing House on Family Violence, Health Canada

Sexual Abuse Counselling: A guide for parents and children

When Children Act Out Sexually: A guide for parents and teachers

When Boys Have Been Sexually Abused: A guide for young boys

When Teenage Boys Have Been Sexually Abused: A guide for teenagers

Sexual Abuse - What Happens When You Tell: A guide for children

CONTACTS

Help for:

Student Services Administrators: Allan Hawkins: 945-2757 ahawkins@gov.mb.ca

Social Workers: School Psychologists:

Donna Martin: 945-5294 Connie Boutet: 945-6761

donmartin@edu.gov.mb.ca cboutet@edu.gov.mb.ca

School Counsellors: Resource Teachers:

Lorna Martin: 945-7964 Roland Marion: 945-5563

lormartin@edu.gov.mb.ca romarion@edu.gov.mb.ca

School Support UnitCoordinator of SSU:Joanna Blais: 945-7922 / jblais@edu.gov.mb.ca