Who is mandated to report abuse

If you are a concerned member of the public, see the sa. Always call if it is an emergency. A mandated notifier is required by law to notify the Department for Child Protection if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child or young person is, or may be, at risk of harm. This obligation arises when a mandated notifier forms this suspicion in the course of their employment whether paid or voluntary. A mandated notifier must make the notification as soon as is reasonably practicable after forming the suspicion.

If a mandated notifier forms a suspicion outside of their work whether paid or voluntary that a child or young person is, or may be, at risk of harm, they may make a notification to the Department for Child Protection voluntarily.

Section 30 of the Children and Young People Safety Act establishes that the following people are mandated notifiers:. A mandated notifier must make a report to the Department for Child Protection if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child or young person is, or may be, at risk of harm. For more information about what may be considered harm, see indicators of child abuse or neglect. It is a legal requirement for a mandated notifier to report their suspicions to the Department for Child Protection.

However, the Children and Young People Safety Act recognises that making a notification does not necessarily exhaust a mandated notifier's duty of care to a child and their family.

This means that a mandated notifier's duty of care is not over when they make a report to the Child Abuse Report Line. A mandated notifier should consider how they can continue to respond to the needs of the child and their family.

There are also other support services available for children, young people and families that may be able to help. Under section of the Children and Young People Safety Act , a mandated notifier's identity will not be disclosed unless the disclosure:. Those required by law to file are considered mandated reporters.

These professionals can include health care providers, mental health providers, crisis counselors, school personnel, social workers, day care providers and law enforcement personnel among others. In some states additional professionals are now included on the list of mandated reporters: commercial film developers, substance abuse counselors, domestic violence professionals, court-appointed special advocates, and members of the clergy.

To read the specific mandatory reporting statute for your state, consult the Child Welfare Information Gateway searchable database of statutes. Learn more about recognizing signs of abuse. The identity of all persons who report shall be confidential. Violation of statutory confidentiality is a misdemeanor.

APS may reveal the names of reporting parties only to other investigative agencies as specified by law. No person required to report elder abuse will bear criminal liability for reporting suspected abuse. A victim of abuse may refuse or withdraw consent to any investigation or provision of services, which are initiated as a result of the report, unless a violation of the Penal Code has been alleged.

This free, minute online training provides basic information about mandated reporting requirements. Our Adult Protective Services responds to reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect involving older adults and adults with disabilities.

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