When should I report?

 

All Club employees are required by law to report all suspected cases of child abuse. Child abuse is any act of omission or commission that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health and development. Public law 93-247 defines child abuse and neglect as the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare, under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is harmed or threatened. The act of inflicting injury or allowing injury to result, rather than the degree of injury, is the determinant for intervention.

 

Staff does not have to be physically present or witness the abuse to identify suspected cases of abuse, or even have definite proof that a child may be subject to child abuse or neglect. Rather, the law requires that a person have a “reasonable suspicion” that a child has been the subject of child abuse or neglect. Under the law, this means that it is reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion of child abuse or neglect, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person, in a like position, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect. 

 

 

Red flags for abuse and neglect are often identified by observing a child’s behavior at school, recognizing physical signs, and observations of dynamics during routine interactions with certain adults. While the following signs are not proof that a child is the subject of abuse or neglect, they should prompt one to look further.

 

Who is required to make a report?

A person identified in the law who is required to report known or suspected child abuse that they learn about while acting in a professional capacity or within the scope of his/her employment. Such persons include youth development professionals, volunteers, teachers, teacher aides, counselors, and others.

 

What are the steps to report?

 

Once a case of child abuse/neglect is suspected the Boys & Girls Club staff person must:

 

1. Inform your manager/supervisor immediately.

 

2. The Site Director and the reporting staff will interview the child to the extent necessary to confirm the suspicion of possible abuse or neglect.      

     Please note that staff do not need approval from their supervisor to report. 

 

Interview Guidelines: 

• Use a private, quiet room.
• Begin with comfortable questions (where child lives, any brothers or sisters, etc.)
• Be "up-front". Explain why you wish to talk to him or her. Share with the child your concern regarding any visible marks, the child's health, safety, etc.
• Ask questions which relate to your concerns and the child's condition.
• Use open-ended questions... "Could you tell me more?"
• Use empathetic expressions... "Gee, that must have been painful."
• Use clarifying statements... "I'm a little confused about that."
• Don't go beyond assessment. Turn the case over to C.P.S.
• Don't judge, investigate, treat or counsel. Keep the interview strictly confidential.
• If police or C.P.S. wish to interview the child, check their credentials , and then assist them as much as possible.

 

3. The Site Director or reporting staff member will contact Child Protective Services (C.P.S.) 24-hour hotline at 650-802-7922 or 800-632-4615 immediately to  report the incident. All reports to C.P.S. are documented as to date, time, person(s) interviewed and outcome. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you know or suspect that a child is being abused, has been abused in the past, or is at risk of abuse, please call C.P.S 24-hour hotline at: 650-802-7922 or 800-632-4615.

 

4. A complete written report is submitted to C.P.S. within 36 hours of the allegation.

 

5. Scan and email a copy of the report to the following BGCP administrative staff:

• Chief Program Officer
• Head of Human Resources
• Vice President of Operations 

 

6. C.P.S will investigate and determine if further follow up is necessary. 

 

7. BGCP strongly recommends that two weeks following the submission of the initial report site staff should depart as a group. 

 

 * To access the C.P.S report form click the attachment below.