host home for children which are subject to supervision or licensure by the department under Articles IX and X of the Public Welfare Code.
When must mandated reporters make a report? Mandated reporters are required to make a report of suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse under any of the following circumstances: They come into contact with the child in the course of employment, occupation and practice of a profession or through a regularly scheduled program, activity or service. They are directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or training of the child, or are affiliated with an agency, institution, organization, school, regularly established church or religious organization or other entity that is directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or training of the child. A person makes a specific disclosure to the mandated reporter that an identifiable child is the victim of child abuse. An individual 14 years of age or older makes a specific disclosure to the mandated reporter that the individual has committed child abuse. It is not required that the child come before the mandated reporter in order to make a report of suspected child abuse nor are they required to identify the person responsible for the child abuse to make a report of suspected child abuse. What if a mandated reporter has general concerns about a child, but does not suspect abuse? Concerns related to the safety of children including, but not limited to inadequate housing, clothing and supervision, can be referred to ChildLine or the county children and youth agency for assessment as general protective services cases. How do mandated reporters make a report of suspected child abuse? Mandated reporters must make an immediate and direct report of suspected child abuse to ChildLine either electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis or by calling 1-800-932-0313. Does anyone within my institution, school, facility or agency need to be notified after a report is made? After making the report to ChildLine, mandated reporters are required to immediately thereafter notify the person in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person in charge. What else must be done after making a report to ChildLine? If an oral report was made to ChildLine, a report of suspected child abuse (CY 47) must also be completed and forwarded to the county children and youth agency within 48 hours after making the report. This form can be obtained at www.KeepKidsSafe.pa.gov or from the children and youth agency. If a report is made electronically, no CY-47 is required to be completed.
Does a mandated reporter have to know for sure that the child was abused? A mandated reporter is responsible to make the report when they suspect a child is a victim of abuse.
Are mandated reporters required to report when they learn of the abuse from someone other than the child who was allegedly abused? Nothing requires a child to come before the mandated reporter in order to make a report.
3 07/13/2015
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