Abuse and Neglect

Child care workers are obligated to report suspected child abuse or neglect to a child welfare worker. Failing to promptly report suspected abuse or neglect to a child welfare worker is a serious criminal offence under the Child, Family and Community Service Act. 

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You do not need to be certain. It is the child welfare worker’s job to determine whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur (The B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect, p.43).

All calls are anonymous by law, protecting the reporting person from any repercussions.

The staff must make a note in the communication book and immediately report to the director in the event of:

• A disclosure by a child;
• A parent or another individual provides information regarding a child`s disclosure to them;
• Any reason to believe that allegation of abuse or neglect occurred while child was not in care (see table “Child Abuse Sings”);
• An allegation of abuse or neglect where the allegation occurred while child was in care.

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Therefore, consistent unusual incidents with children, i.e. bruises, unusual behaviour, etc. will be documented in the communication book.   

These are the circumstances that must be reported:

• a child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed, sexually abused or sexually exploited by a parent or another person and a parent is unwilling or unable to protect a child
• a child has been or is likely to be physically harmed because of neglect by a child’s parent
• child is emotionally harmed by parent’s conduct
• child is deprived of necessary health care
• child’s development is likely to be seriously impaired by a treatable condition and child’s parent refuses to provide or consent to treatment
• child’s parent is unable or unwilling to care for a child and has not made adequate provisions for child’s care
• child is or has been absent from home in circumstances that endanger the child’s safety or well-being
• child’s parent is dead and adequate provision has not been made for child’s care, or
• child has been abandoned, and adequate provision has not been made for child’s care.

                                  (The B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect, p.43)

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Child Abuse and Neglect Procedure 

Steps for a teacher/licensee to follow if they suspect child abuse:

1. If child requires medical attention for injuries, call 911. 
2. Notify the manager/licensee.
3. Record all unusual behaviour, comments, etc. in a communication book.
4. Call the local Ministry office and voice concerns.
5. Refer to notes or documentation when talking to the worker.
6. Stay calm and answer questions as best you can.
7. Ask ministry questions if unsure what to do next.
8. Call police detachment or 9-1-1 and ask for the police when:

• a child is in immediate danger, and/or
• a criminal offence against a child has been or is likely to be committed.

9. Report your concerns to a child welfare worker after you call the police.

                              (The B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect, p.43)

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A case worker will assess the situation to determine if child’s family is in crisis or under investigation already. A case worker will further investigate if they feel it`s warranted. A case worker will interview the child/family, assess the extent of abuse and move the child into protective custody, if necessary. All of these will be done in 24 hours. Every call is confidential and the Ministry may request that the child remain at the centre to insure consistency in their lives. If the staff in uncomfortable with the situation the licensee/manager will make a call. No calls will be made without the licensee/manager knowledge. The case worker will help the staff with any questions they may have on how to proceed with the child`s healing. 

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File folders with the pertinent phone numbers are in the wall files together with the Attendance Binders. 

If a staff member is suspected of abusing a child, he or she will be suspended immediately pending investigation, without pay for this duration. A detailed incident report supplied by Fraser Health will be completed and submitted to Licensing once the parents, the licensing officer, the Ministry and the RCMP are contacted. 

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If requested by a medical health officer, a licensee who is being investigated must provide a health plan to ensure the health and safety of children during investigation (Sec. 12(2) of the Child Care Licensing Regulations). 

If the report finds the staff is at fault they will be terminated, and legal action will be taken. If all accusations are proven unfounded, the staff member will return to work, with proper documentation kept on their file. 

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Child Abuse Signs

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