If you find bruises on a child and suspect physical abuse, would you call the parent and ask questions about the bruises? or would you just call the child abuse hotline right away?
I would call the hotline. I would absolutely NOT contact the parent if I suspected abuse. If there is abuse going on, you don't know how the parent will react toward you, or worse, toward the child. As a mandated reporter, you MUST make a report. You don't have to determine whether it's going on or not, just that you suspect it. Check out this website: http://childabuse.fiu.edu/reporting.php
Without question I would contact my state regulators for child abuse. It doesn't matter as a mandated reporter "how" the injury occurred, we're not trained to investigate any forms of abuse, let the professionals handle that part. To me, if you have to ask the question "Should I call?" the answer is probably yes.
Depends on the admin. It's not up to them whether or not you make a report. You are legally liable for it. If I thought they'd be supportive, I'm sure I'd go to them for support. If I thought they'd try to stop me or would be upset, I wouldn't. If you read the website I linked, they address the topic.
Administrators don't like to be blindsided. I would tell the administrator what you have observed and then call. In our state, the administrators have the form you need to fill out, anyway.
The times I have called I told them ahead of time. They can't / shouldn't change your decision, but it's definitely important to keep them in the loop.
Digital, the new law in FL states that you are NOT to contact the parent. You do NOT have to inform your admin, but if you do NOT report it, it is a felony. Call the hotline. They will take a report and talk you through the process and answer any questions you have.
This. I talk to my administrator ahead of time and let them know I'm making the call. On a couple of occasions, staff made a report and the first that the principal knew of the situation was when CPS showed up at the school to talk to the child; she wasn't impressed.
I would tell my administrator because they will likely be fielding calls from CFS after I make that call. There is also a form I am required to fill out that goes to my superintendent.
In that situation, we are required by law to report it and to not call the parents. Your administration should be making this crystal clear to all the teachers and staff. If the administration isn't training the entire staff on this that is disappointing and borderline criminal.
