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Child Abuse and Neglect: Mandatory Reporting

Treats every staff member as a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect, as District law requires for registered and practical nurses, social services workers, and individuals involved in the care and treatment of patients: when staff know or have reasonable cause to believe that a child they know through their work has been abused or neglected, or is in immediate danger of abuse, they immediately make an oral report to the Child and Family Services Agency or the Metropolitan Police Department, tell the Director, and make a written report if asked.

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About this policy
Policy number
DC-HH-SG-02
Version
1.0
Main rule
D.C. Code §4-1321.02
Library
Washington, DC home health · 58 policies
Category
Safeguarding
Sections
17

In short

  • In the District, you are a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect.
  • If you think a child you see through your work is abused or neglected, call the CFSA hotline, (202) 671-SAFE (202-671-7233), or the police right away. Call 911 if the child is in danger.
  • Then tell the Director or supervising nurse at once. Telling them does not replace your own call.
  • Write down exactly what you saw and heard, and make a written report if CFSA or the police ask.
  • Do not question the child in detail or confront the family.

What's inside

17 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 (D.C. Code §4-1321.02 and §4-1321.03)
  • 5. When to Report
  • 6. Make the Child Safe
  • 7. How to Report
  • 8. What to Include
  • 9. After the Report
  • 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

  • Are your aides mandatory reporters of child abuse in the District? How do they know?
  • What is the first thing a nurse does when she suspects a child in a patient’s home is being abused?

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