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Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

Requires every staff member who has reasonable cause to believe that a child (under 18) has been abused to make sure an oral report is made to the Division of Family and Children Services immediately, and in no case later than 24 hours, as O.C.G.A. §19-7-5 requires. Covers children who are patients and children staff meet in a patient’s home, the internal notification route, immunity, privilege, and the misdemeanor for failure to report.

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About this policy
Policy number
GA-HH-SG-02
Version
1.0
Main rule
O.C.G.A. §19-7-5
Library
Georgia home health · 56 policies
Category
Safeguarding
Sections
15

In short

  • If you think a child under 18 is being abused or neglected, whether the child is our patient or lives in a patient’s home, it must be reported right away.
  • Tell the Administrator or the supervising nurse at once. They call DFCS on 1-855-422-4453 (1-855-GACHILD), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • If you cannot reach them within an hour, call DFCS yourself. The law allows no more than 24 hours.
  • Call 911 if the child is in danger. Do not question the child in detail or confront the family.
  • You are protected for a good faith report. Failing to report is a crime.

What's inside

15 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (O.C.G.A. §19-7-5)
  • 5. What Every Staff Member Does
  • 6. What the Person in Charge Does
  • 7. Legal Protections
  • 8. Responsibilities
  • 9. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 10. Staff Training
  • 11. References
  • 12. Related Policies and Forms
  • 13. Approval
  • 14. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • If a nurse visiting a pediatric patient suspects the child is being abused, what does she do, and how quickly?
  • Who in your Agency is a mandated reporter of child abuse in Georgia?

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