Understanding Mandated Reporting

School counselors are faced with ethical and legal situations on an increasing basis. In our role as a school counselor, we are mandated reporters. Often, mandated reporting comes with frustration from families; our duty is to protect our youngest and most vulnerable by reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
 
New Hampshire Law (see https://www.dhhs.nh.gov) requires any person who suspects that a child under age 18 has been abused or neglected must report that suspicion immediately to DCYF, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (New Hampshire RSA 169-C:29-31). Furthermore, the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors states that ethically, counselors are mandated to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities and take reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of the student for whom abuse or neglect is suspected when alerting the proper authorities.
 
The Granite State Children’s Alliance is New Hampshire’s network of child advocacy centers. Their mission is to provide all victims of child abuse in New Hampshire a neutral environment that fosters justice, healing, equity and prevention through the consistent, high quality and sustaining collaboration of community partners. Know & Tell is part of the Granite State Children’s Alliance and works to educate the public on mandated reporting and provide families and the community with resources centered on reporting. Know & Tell has resources available online and is available to do free trainings with schools and the community.
 
Keeping the safety and well-being of children at the heart of our work is paramount!
 
Contact Alison Memoli, NHSCA president-elect, at a_memoli@sau9.org.