CA11

“Reasonable cause to suspect” means that based on what you have observed or been told, combined with your training and experience, you feel that harm or imminent danger of harm to the child could be the result of an act or omission by the person legally responsible for the child.

• If there is a reasonable cause to suspect a child is being abused or maltreated you must call the SCR immediately.

• You do NOT have to be positive that abuse or maltreatment is occurring.

• You do NOT have to have proof that abuse or maltreatment has occurred.

• The sooner the incident is reported, the better the chances for protecting the child and providing appropriate services for the family.
• The information you gather from your observations may be different than those of another reporter. This information is all relevant to the SCR in making their decision when registering a report.