Child Protection Guidelines PDF
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This document discusses child protection guidelines, focusing on the age of protection and mandatory reporting. It emphasizes the importance of reporting suspected abuse or neglect to the Children's Aid Societies. The document mentions that reporting is encouraged for youth aged 16 and 17, though it's not mandatory.
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## 5. Duty to Report ### ParentPulse Child Protection Guidelines What is your prior knowledge of current child protection guidelines? Let's discuss. ### Discretion to Disclose: Age of Protection - In 2018, the age of protection was raised to include youth up to 18 years old. - Youth aged 16 and...
## 5. Duty to Report ### ParentPulse Child Protection Guidelines What is your prior knowledge of current child protection guidelines? Let's discuss. ### Discretion to Disclose: Age of Protection - In 2018, the age of protection was raised to include youth up to 18 years old. - Youth aged 16 and 17 are now eligible for protection services from Children's Aid Societies. - Reporting for 16 and 17-year-old youth is not mandatory but is encouraged if concerns arise. Retrieved from: https://www.oacas.org/childrens-aid-child-protection/duty-to-report/ ## PPC Key Takeaway RE: Discretion to Disclose "The saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' is never more true than when we talk about protecting children. Keeping the most vulnerable members of our community safe is the responsibility of everyone. Once you have *reasonable grounds* to suspect abuse or neglect, your duty is to report not investigate. A Child Protection Agent will investigate" (para 1). When in doubt, consult our Parent Pulse Social Worker for child protection concerns. Content Retrieved from: https://www.oacas.org/childrens-aid-child-protection/duty-to-report/ ## Discretion to Disclose: Mandatory Reporting Section 125 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act: Every person with *reasonable grounds* to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection must promptly report it to a Children's Aid Society. **Reasonable Grounds** is defined as: "your belief about something is based on more than a feeling or suspicion. There must be reliable information to support your belief. And another person could also have that belief based on the information" (Retrieved from: https://stepstojustice.ca/glossary/reasonable-grounds/ July 4, 2024). This may include professionals like healthcare workers, teachers, child care staff, police, and lawyers. Retrieved from: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/17c14
