Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Sets out how staff immediately report to the Missouri Children's Division any reasonable cause to suspect that a child (a patient under 18, or a child in a patient's home) has been or may be abused or neglected, as RSMo §210.115 requires of nurses, other health practitioners and social workers and as the Agency requires of every staff member; that no internal investigation may begin until the report is made; that no supervisor may impede a report; and the immunity and penalties in RSMo §§210.135 and 210.165.
About this policy
- Policy number
- MO-HH-SG-02
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- RSMo §210.115
- Library
- Missouri home health · 57 policies
- Category
- Safeguarding
- Sections
- 17
In short
- If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, report immediately to the Children's Division at 1-800-392-3738.
- The hotline is open 24 hours a day. Mandated reporters may also report online.
- Report first. No one at the Agency may start an internal investigation before the report is made.
- No supervisor may stop or delay your report, and you will not be punished for it.
- Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.
What's inside
17 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (RSMo §210.115)
- 5. What Every Staff Member Does
- 6. Rules That Protect the Report
- 7. Child Deaths
- 8. After the Report
- 9. Immunity and Penalties
- 10. Responsibilities
- 11. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 12. Staff Training
- 13. References
- 14. Related Policies and Forms
- 15. Approval
- 16. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- If you suspected that a child in a patient's home was being abused, what would you do?
- May a supervisor decide whether a nurse's report should be made?
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