5.6.2 Child Abuse Reporting Policy

Policy Statement

SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) is committed to the wellbeing of learners.

Definitions

Appointed School Official (ASO) – takes on the responsibility of determining whether a child or youth has been harmed by someone who works, volunteers, or works on contract for the SelfDesign Learning Community. The principal, Catherine Dinim, is the ASO. The Alternate Appointed School Official (AASO) assists the ASO and will take on the responsibilities of the ASO if the ASO is not able and/or available to fulfill their responsibilities. The AASO is the vice principal, Clarissa Tufts.

Child Welfare Worker – a person delegated under the Child, Family and Community Services Act (CFCSA) to provide child welfare service, including responses to suspected child abuse and neglect.

Emotional Harm – under the Child, Family and Community Services Act (CFCSA), a child or youth is defined as emotionally harmed if they demonstrate severe:

• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Withdrawal.
• Self-destructive or aggressive behaviour.

Neglect – failure to provide a child’s or youth’s basic needs. It involves an act of omission by the parent/guardian, resulting in (or likely to result in) harm to the child or youth. Neglect may include failure to provide food, shelter, basic health care, supervision, or protection from risks to the extent that the child’s or youth’s physical health, development or safety is, or is likely to be harmed.

Physical Abuse – a deliberate physical assault or action by a person that results in, or is likely to result in, physical harm to a child or youth. It includes the use of unreasonable force to discipline a child or youth or prevent a child or youth from harming him/herself or others.

Sexual Exploitation – a form of sexual abuse that occurs when a child or youth engages in a sexual activity, usually through manipulation or coercion, in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter, or other considerations. Sexual activity includes:

• Performing sexual acts.
• Sexually explicit activity for entertainment.
• Involvement with escort or massage parlour services.
• Appearing in pornographic images.

Policy

SelfDesign Learning Foundation will require of all members of SDLF and the SelfDesign Learning Community, who have reason to believe that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected, report the matter to a child welfare worker, as this is their legal duty under the Child, Family and Community Services Act.

Further, it is the role of the ASO to:

• Investigate, where appropriate, on behalf of the school authority.
• Consult with the person making the report and support as necessary.
• Oversee the completion of the Violence Threat Risk Assessment and Digital Threat Risk Assessment.
• Ensure a safe school environment during investigations.
• Consult with the child welfare worker and/or police and/or other outside agency involved in the case.
• Ensure that no school contractor interferes with any investigations.
• Respond to reported incidents (e.g., submitted via the erase report it tool or through other communication pathways).
• Liaising with community partners as required (e.g., Ministry of Children and Family Development, police, hospital).
• Communicate with parents/guardians with respect to actions taken by the school authority due to a “reason to believe,” meaning that, based on what you have seen or information you have received, you have a reason to believe that a child has been or is likely to be at risk.
• Report to the Commission for Teacher Regulation, Teacher Regulation Branch, Ministry of Education and Child Care, as appropriate.
• Dismiss, suspend, or otherwise discipline a certified teacher or school principal (Independent School Act section 7 and 7.2).
• Refer learner(s) for counselling according to the school’s policies .

It is the role of the AASO to:

• Assist the ASO and/or investigate where appropriate on behalf of the school authority.
• In the event the ASO is away, the AASO will conduct the investigation on behalf of the school authority.

Protocol

Child in immediate danger

If a child or youth is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police.

Known or suspected child abuse or neglect

Members of the SelfDesign Learning Foundation

1. Send an email with “URGENT” in the subject line to both:
   1. principal@selfdesign.org (alerts the ASO and AASO)
   2. toddbutler@selfdesign.org (Family Services Team Lead)
2. Contact the learner’s educator/learning consultant
3. Continue to 2, below

Members of the SelfDesign Learning Community

1. Report to the Contact Assistance Team (CAT)
   1. Complete the Contact Assistance Request form using the link below:
      Link to Contact Assistance Request form.
   2. Immediately follow through reporting to a child welfare worker (see 2, below). If you would like support in preparing this report, please request this in your Contact Assistance Request form.
2. Report to a child welfare worker at the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)
   1. Call a child welfare worker at MCFD. There are three ways:
      • Toll free: 1-800-663-9122 (Operates 24 hours a day)
      • Helpline for Children: 310-1234 (No area code required. Toll free and operates 24 hours a day.)
      • Long-distance: 1-604-660-4927 (If calling from outside B.C.)
   2. Ask to speak to an Intake Worker.
   3. Make a report (see What to Report, below).

What to Report

The report will include:

• Name of child.
• Child’s date of birth.
• Child’s home address.
• Child’s current location.
• Your (reporter’s) concerns.
• Nature of child’s disability, if any.
• Sibling name(s).
• Sibling date(s) of birth.
• Other children who may be affected.
• Parent/Guardian name(s).
• Applicable information about the family, parent(s)/guardian(s), and alleged offenders.
• Applicable information about other persons or agencies closely involved with the child and/or family.
• Any other relevant information concerning the child and/or family (i.e., language, culture).
• Your (reporter’s) name.
• Your (reporter’s) telephone contact.
• Your (reporter’s) relationship to the child.

Related Documents

• B.C. Handbook for Action Child Abuse and Neglect.
• Child, Family and Community Service Act.
• Contact Assistance Request form.
• Criminal Code of Canada.
• Digital Threat Risk Assessment.
• Reporting Abuse – Guidance for SelfDesign Educators and Contractors.
• Supporting our Students: A Guide for Independent School Personnel Responding to Child Abuse.
• Violence Threat Risk Assessment.