Administrative Procedure 325 

ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Background

The Superintendent recognizes the legal obligation placed on all employees to comply with the legal requirements imposed upon them by the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and to cooperate fully with all involved in safeguarding the well-being of the students in the School.

Procedures

1. All matters relating to suspected or alleged child abuse shall be handled in strict confidence.
2. Any written records shall be handled with strict security during the investigation, and then disposed of after the investigation.
3. Once satisfied as to the identity of the child welfare worker or police officer, School staff shall cooperate fully with such officials:
3.1 In providing information and interviews;
3.2 By permitting student(s) to be interviewed by the officials.
4. Any parental contact shall be initiated by the child welfare worker or police officials, and if questions from parent(s) are directed to the School, they are to be referred to the appropriate official.
5. At the request of a student, a non-participating staff member may sit in on the interviews.
6. When an investigating official requests that a staff member provide information, it is recommended that the information be provided in writing.
7. Unless threats are made against a staff member, generally the School contact shall be with the child welfare department and not the police department.
8. The appropriate Health Unit is to be available to provide:
8.1 Assistance in recognizing abuse or neglect symptoms.
8.2 In-service training in abuse recognition/reporting.
9. The Principal is to be kept aware of the status of any case of abuse on a “need to know” basis.
10. Staff members are to be alert continually for any indications that abuse or neglect is taking place in the lives of the students in the school.
11. If a teacher or other staff member becomes aware of any alleged abuse of a student, the staff member shall contact the Child Abuse Hot Line 1-800-387-5437
12. The staff member shall also:                                                                        12.1 Report such concerns to the Principal.
12.2 Complete the required report form.
13. Copies of this completed report are to be distributed to:
13.1 The staff member making the report.
13.2 Principal’s Confidential File.
13.3 Superintendent.
13.4 Child welfare worker and/or police investigator (upon request).
14. Once in the hands of the child welfare official, the School’s involvement in the investigation shall proceed under the
direction of Child and Youth Services and/or the police.
15. The Principal shall be responsible for having a copy of the following available and providing periodic in-service on:
15.1 The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act,
15.2 Protocol and Guidelines for Child Welfare Workers and School Personnel – Government of Alberta Document.

References: Section 11, 25, 26, 33, 52, 53, 56, 196, 197, 222, 225 Education
Act Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act
Drug Endangered Children Act
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act Practice
Review of Teachers Regulation 4/99 Student Record
Regulation 225/2006
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Protocol (2013)
Protocol and Guidelines for Child Welfare Workers and School Personnel