Suspected Abuse and Neglect
Checklists
• Possible Neglect and Maltreatment Checklist
• Possible Physical Abuse Checklist
• Possible Sexual Abuse Checklist
Procedures
• Suspected Abuse or Neglect Procedures
Checklists
Possible Neglect and Maltreatment Checklist
Some Possible Behavioral Signs of Neglect
_____ Frequently caught taking food from other children
_____ Arrives at school much earlier than the other children
_____ Seems to hesitate going home at the end of the day and is seen wandering the halls
_____ Exhibits constant fatigue
_____ Frequently falls asleep in class
_____ Develops habit disorders i.e. tics and other signs of tension
_____ Exhibits symptoms typical of conduct disorders i.e. antisocial behavior
_____ Frequently uses drugs or alcohol
_____ Develops clinging behavior patterns towards other adults
Some Possible Physical Signs of Neglect
_____ Seems to have medical or physical conditions that go untreated
_____ Severe lags in physical development as a result of malnutrition
_____ Expresses constant hunger
_____ Comes to school exhibiting poor hygiene
_____ Comes to school inappropriately dressed for the particular weather conditions
_____ Mentions that he/she is left home alone a great deal
_____ Exhibits chronic absences from school
_____ Has a history of lateness’s to school
Download a PDF Version of this Checklist – CLICK HERE
Possible Physical Abuse Checklist
Since special education teachers are mandated reporters you should be aware of clinical and behavioral clues to possible abuse. Try to keep in mind that you should use common sense and proper judgment prior to reporting suspected abuse. Such reports are a serious matter. On the other hand, never hesitate if you suspect abuse believing that “such a family could never do such things.” Remember that as a mandated reporter you are really an advocate for children in cases of suspected abuse or neglect. Never assume that something is so obvious that someone must have called it in. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Some Possible Behavioral Signs of Physical Abuse
_____ Fear or resistance to going home
_____ Past history of self-injurious behavior
_____ Extreme neurotic conditions i.e. obsessions, compulsions, and phobias
_____ Constantly wears clothing that is inappropriate for the season i.e. long, sleeves in the summertime to possibly cover up bruises.
_____ Extreme mood changes and periods of aggressive behavior
_____ Child seems apprehensive or afraid of adults
_____ Child flinches or reacts defensively to adult gestures or behavior which is not considered dangerous
_____ Communicates that he/she is constantly falling or hitting into things as an excuse for their bruises
Some Possible Physical Signs of Physical Abuse
_____ Unexplained marks, welts, bites or bruises on the body
_____ Unexplained burns
_____ Unexplained injuries to the head area
Download a PDF Version of this Checklist – CLICK HERE
Possible Sexual Abuse Checklist
Some Possible Behavioral Signs of Sexual Abuse
_____ Acts in an infantile manner and exhibits frequent withdrawal and fantasy
_____ Has difficulties maintaining peer relationships
_____ Engages in sexual activities with other children
_____ Exhibits frequent lateness’s or absences from school
_____ Resists physical examinations
_____ Has a history of running away
_____ May have a history of self injurious behavior
_____ Expresses sophisticated, bizarre or unusual knowledge of sexual acts or behavior and expresses these to other children or adults
Some Possible Physical Signs of Sexual Abuse
_____ Expresses the presence or exhibits bruise in genital areas
_____ Has difficulty walking or sitting for long periods of time because of pain
_____ Exhibits bruise to the mouth area
_____ Exhibits extreme pain, itching or discomfort in the genital area
_____ Has a history of urinary tract infections
_____ Has developed sexually transmitted diseases especially in the pre adolescent period
Download a PDF Version of this Checklist – CLICK HERE
Procedures
Suspected Abuse or Neglect Procedures
Remember you only need to suspect abuse or neglect to report the case. If you suspect possible abuse or neglect follow the following steps:
1.) Gather all the information you can about the suspected incident or incidents and write it up in factual and behavioral terminology (this means no opinions, interpretations, assumptions or guesses, just factual observations or information i.e. The child said…. I directly observed… There were black and blue marks on his/her legs.)
2.) Notify your direct administrator (usually a building principal) of the information you have that caused you to suspect abuse or neglect. Here again verbalize only facts. At this point the administrator will usually call the Child Abuse Hotline or assign someone to call. If you are assigned to call keep the following in mind:
3.) Make sure you call the mandated reporters hotline. Many states have two lines, one for the public to report cases and one for mandated reporters. The numbers can be found in the phone book or by calling 800-555-1212 and asking for the State Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline for Mandated Reporters since most of these hotlines are 800 numbers.
4.) Once you have a counselor on the phone immediately ask for his/her name and note the time and date of your call.
5.) Inform the counselor that you believe you have a suspected case of abuse or neglect. He/she will ask you some basic questions for their records and then ask you what evidence you have to suspect that something has taken place.
6.) Again, report only facts and direct observations. At this point the counselor may indicate that it is either reportable or not a reportable case.
7.) If the case is reportable, the counselor will ask you more questions so be prepared with the following information: the child’s full name, the address of the child, the child’s birth date, the parent’s/guardian’s first and last names (if different), the child’s telephone number, the parent’s/guardian’s work number if known, other siblings in the house and their ages, the grade of the child, the school and school district of the child, number and nature of any previous reports
8.) After he/she gathers all the information they may assign a case number so be prepared to jot this down. They will inform you that they will be passing the case on to a local caseworker that will be in touch with the school.
9.) Ask the counselor if he/she feels that the child can go home or if the school should retain him/her until the caseworker appears. The school has this right if the child’s health or safety will be compromised in any way by returning home after school. Many times the caseworker will come immediately if it is deemed a serious case and will speak with the child before the end of the school day. A home visit is usually made within 24 hours or less if the case is considered serious.
10.) The school nurse under the direction of the building administrator may photograph any obvious marks or contusions for evidence.
11.) Once the case is reported you will probably receive a Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Maltreatment form from the Department of Social Services. The school must fill this out and return it within 24 hours. Here again, the person who made the original contact with the state counselor may be the one who fills out the form. An example of this type of form appears at the end of this section. Keep in mind that this is a legal requirement.
12.) In some instances, the counselor may indicate that a case does not sound reportable as abuse or neglect. They may indicate that it does represent poor judgment on the part of parents but does not constitute abuse or neglect. At this point you can ask why and ask their advice for the next step. However, if it is not reportable, write your administrator a letter indicating the time, date and the name of the counselor to which you spoke, and the reasons why the case was not accepted as reportable. Your legal responsibilities are now covered. However, your moral responsibilities have just begun.
13.) If the administrator listens to the facts and does not see it as a reportable case, you should ask the reasons why and suggest that the case be presented to the Child Abuse counselor for their input. However, if the administrator continues to indicate that he/she does not feel it needs to go any further inform him/her that as a mandated reporter you feel a responsibility to call the Child Abuse Hotline and ask the counselor on call if he/she feels it is a reportable case. If an administrator does not want to report a case and you agree with this decision, and it is later determined that abuse or neglect was taking place, you may find yourself in very serious trouble. It is not acceptable to use the excuse “I told my administrator”. Remember you are a mandated reporter and directly responsible for actions taken or not taken.
Download a PDF Version of this Procedure – CLICK HERE