Mandated reporters refer to individuals who are regularly in contact with vulnerable groups. Mandated reporters are required by law to make reports on when abuse is suspected or observed. The mandated reporters may vary from unpaid to paid individuals assuming intermittent or full responsibility for caring for an elder, dependent adult or a child.
The state of California has passed several bills providing guidelines for mandated reporting. Numerous concepts are integral to mandated reporters. First, the mandated reporter statute puts forward a Child Abuse and Neglect concept (Myers, 2016). The concept provides a guideline for mandated reporters to report suspected or known child neglect or abuse cases to the local law enforcement department. The Child Abuse and Neglect provision give mandated reporters specific procedures which must be followed to constitute a referral for child protection in the child protective services.
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According to Kenny et al., (2017), the Elder, Dependent Adult Neglect and Abuse are another provision under the California Mandated Reporter Statute providing that incident that appears as abuse or neglect for the elderly and dependent adults be reported. The appropriate reports are submitted to the Adult Protective Services to ensure appropriate action is taken. In California, the law provides that it is mandatory for mandated reporters to report suspected neglect or abuse adequately.
When faced with mandated reporter issues several guidelines are provided that include identification of neglect or abuse where a mandated reporter does not have to witness abuse or be present physically. The law provides that the mandated reporter needs only reasonable suspicion to make a referral for support (Kenny et al., 2017)
Upon establishing reasonable suspicion for negligence or abuse, a mandated reporter contacts the concerned local law enforcement agency immediately by telephone making a follow up in writing (Myers, 2016). It may also be necessary to file a report with county welfare services providing a name of the reporter since the reporters have immunity for reporting.
References
Kenny, M., Abreu, R., Marchena, M., Helpingstine, Claire, Lopez-Griman, … Ben. (2017). Legal and clinical guidelines for making a child maltreatment report . American Psychological Association.
Myers, J. E. (2016). Myers on evidence of interpersonal violence: Child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, rape, stalking, and elder abuse .
