When working with minors, school counselors are in a unique role in which they may see, hear, or know information about students that unfortunately can reveal instances of violence, self-harm, abuse, or neglect. According to both the Child Abuse Neglect and Reporting Act (CANRA) (CA Penal Code Section 11165-11174.3) and ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, it is the legal and ethical responsibility of school counselors to report any instance of suspected violence, self-harm, abuse, or neglect. While we recommend all school counselors in California to refer to the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training Project (funded by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention and California Department of Social Services), as well as their respective school district’s processes for detailed and thorough information, we have outlined some important steps for school counselors as mandated reporters.
Step One: Learn and Stay Updated about Mandated Reporter Role
It is important as school counselors that we have been trained as mandated reporters and that we stay up-to-date with the responsibility as mandated reporters. If you have not received official training, we highly encourage that all California school personnel complete the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training available online.
Reporting protocol may differ across different school districts, so be sure to familiarize yourself with your school district’s processes. However, school counselors are required by law (CANRA) to report all suspected child abuse and neglect, regardless of local or state condition.
Step Two: Recognize Signs for Abuse and Neglect
It is important to be aware of the six categories of child abuse, defined by CANRA, and the signs of abuse:
- Sexual Abuse: sexual victimization, which includes rape, incest, and molestation, of a child. Signs include unusual sexual behavior and knowledge, nightmares, change in appetite, and refusal to change for or participate in physical education class.
- Physical Abuse: injury caused by willful cruelty, corporal punishment, or unjustifiable punishment. Signs include unexplained injuries or marks on body, fear of authority figures or adults, and refusal to go home.
- Emotional Abuse: unjustifiable emotional suffering or endangered emotional well-being of child. Signs include negative self-concept or self-esteem, unexplained bursts of emotion, and depressed behavior.
- General Neglect: basic needs (adequate food, shelter, supervision, medical care, clothing) of child are not met, due to negligence on behalf of parent or guardian; no physical injury has been inflicted. Signs include frequent absences, consistent hunger, lacking necessary medical/dental/vision care, consistent poor hygiene, consistently ill-prepared for extreme weather, and drug abuse.
- Severe Neglect: health of child is severely endangered, which can involve serious injury or death, due to negligence on behalf of parent or guardian. Signs include severe injury and hospitalization.
- Exploitation: use of coercion on child to perform or engage in inappropriate acts, often in exchange for money or goods. Signs include withdrawn behavior and fear of authority figures.
If you are unsure of whether the signs you observe constitute as one or more of the types of child abuse and neglect, please consult the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453) or your local Child Abuse Hotline when needed.
Step Three: Gather Necessary Information for Report
Any instance of suspected child abuse must be reported, even if the information was not directly disclosed by the alleged victim.
When calling a hotline or making a report, you may need to include the following information:
- Child’s name; Age, date of birth; Present location; Home address; School; Best contact phone number for parent/caregiver; Name of parents and individuals living with child; Concerns of child’s well-being/health (injuries, pain, medical care needed); Source of information that is being reported; Mandated Reporter’s name, business phone number, and address
DO NOT WAIT to gather all the necessary information to report. Call in with the information you already have to ask if it is sufficient for reporting.
Step Four: Report Instance of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect
Call your local or state Child Protective Services - to find your local CPS phone number, visit the ChildHelp website.
In California, the Child Protective Services phone number varies by county. Please visit California Department of Social Services website for your county’s CPS number.
After you call, you may be asked to complete an written form (Suspected Child Abuse Report Form - BCIA 8572) or online report through Mandated Reporter Application (MRA). The operator through the CPS hotline provide guidance.
Step Five: Follow-up
Typically, when a report for child abuse is submitted, a social worker will make contact with the child within 24 hours if the case requires an immediate response. If it does not require an immediate response, they may classify the case as “see by” (in which they decide on a date to make contact by), 10-day response (in which they make contact within 10 days), Information Only (details provided do not yet warrant investigation), and Evaluate Out (jurisdiction for case is under another agency)
For more resources on mandated reporting, please visit the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training Project for California, ASCA's chart of child abuse reporting statutes by state, the ChildHelp website, or your local Social Services Agency.
This post was adapted from the Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting presentation from the Orange County Social Services Agency, Children and Family Services.
- Counselor’s Circle
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