title: Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect: crafting a positive process for health professionals and caregivers.
abstract: Health professionals working with children and their families are often required by law to report to governmental authorities any reasonable suspicion of child abuse and/or neglect. Extant research has pointed toward various barriers to reporting, with scant attention to positive processes to support the reporting process. This paper focuses on the context for mandatory reporting and evidence-informed practice for supporting a more structured and purposeful process of mandatory reporting. These practical strategies discusses: (1) the factors that positively influence the relationship between a child's caregivers and the mandated health professional reporter; (2) a framework and specific skills for discussing concerns about maltreatment and reporting to child protective services with the caregiver(s); and (3) the need for further training and education of health professionals.
authors: Child Advocacy and Assessment Program, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Anna Marie
authors: AM
authors: Pietrantonio
authors: Elise
authors: E
authors: Wright
authors: Kathleen N
authors: KN
authors: Gibson
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Alldred
authors: Dustin
authors: D
authors: Jacobson
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Niec
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D014480:United Nations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence