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Click here for access to full BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Rationale BC Waldorf School employees have a duty under the law to ensure that reasonable care is exercised and appropriate action taken, to protect students from harm or risk of harm. Policy Statement BC Waldorf School employees who have reason to believe that a student has been, or is likely to be, physically, sexually, or emotionally harmed by a School employee or any other person, must promptly report the matter to the Ministry of Children and Families (MCFD). Employees shall complete all of the procedures as outlined in the Procedures for this policy which is located in the Employees Policy Section. The policy and procedures are aligned with the statutory requirements as set out in the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCS Act). A school’s approach must be responsible, consistent, and prudent. The procedures must be understood clearly by all employees and great caution must be taken to protect the privacy and reputation of child abuse victims and those accused of child abuse who are not convicted. Definitions Duty to Report Any person with reason to believe that a child needs protection has a duty to report directly to a child welfare worker, as delegated by MCFD. A child is defined as a person under 19 years of age in the CFCS Act. Informing another person (e.g. a colleague or the Principal) does not discharge the legal duty to report directly to a child welfare worker. An individual does not need to be certain that abuse and/or neglect has or will occur: a child welfare worker will determine that. Any person who breaches the duty to report commits an offence and is liable to prosecution, up to and including the provisions as set out in the CFCS Act. All employees shall cooperate fully with the RCMP and/or MCFD in all stages of the report and investigation. Confidentiality All information regarding a report of child abuse made by an employee to MCFD is confidential and such information should only be provided to persons authorized to receive such information as set out in the Administrative Procedures for this policy. The completed Child Abuse Report Form (Student or Adult), as set out in the procedures, must NOT be placed in the child’s regular or cumulative school record, pursuant to the CFCS Act and this policy. All information related to reporting must be retained in a manner that ensures confidentiality and security of such information. The legal duty to report overrides any duty of confidentiality, except a solicitor/client relationship or where provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act apply. Employees who report other employees do not contravene any ethical considerations. The duty to report supersedes the relationships between employees or with any member of the school community. The Appointed School Officials The Principal or Designate is a school’s Appointed School Official (ASO). Each BC Waldorf School will list a second School Official as the Alternate Appointed School Official (AASO). In the event that a report of suspected abuse is filed against the ASO, the AASO will fulfill the responsibilities in accordance with the CFCS Act and this policy. It is the ASO or AASO’s responsibility to fulfill the obligations of reporting of suspected child abuse as set out in the CFCS Act. All staff and volunteer personnel will be informed of who has the roles of the ASO or AASO. In this role, the ASO/AASO may be required to:
The Appointed School Official will keep records of:
See password protected BC Collective Policy #501 for Child Abuse Reporting Policy Protocols. BC Waldorf Collective - AWNSA Registered Initiative, Associate, and Full Member Waldorf Schools of BC
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