Duty to Report: which includes, but is not limited to, contacting and/or filing a report to your local Children’s Aid Society if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect as a result of living under any of the following conditions: domestic violence, substance abuse by a caregiver, mental health problems of a caregiver, abandonment of a child.
It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to report any abuse they may observe or become aware of. Please only inform the appropriate staff to respect the student's privacy. If it comes to the attention of management that a staff person or volunteer has failed to report abuse, serious consequences will result.
Protect Yourself: Children’s Aid can be contacted anonymously even if you are merely seeking advice. Filing a report to Children’s Aid does not prove abuse or neglect, but allow authorities to take the appropriate actions to determine the risk of each situation. Each report will be evaluated to ensure the child and family receives the support necessary to keep the child safe. If you choose to provide a name with your report, your identity will be protected and your name will not be released to the family involved. Children’s Aid is available by phone 24 hours a day.
Should a child disclose to you that they are being abused or indicate neglect it is your duty to report to your local Children’s Aid. If you are a volunteer with the Leacock Foundation and find yourself in this situation please ensure you report it to the Site Director immediately. Please inform the Leacock Foundation Program Director.