What is the Role of a Mandated Reporter?

Section 413 of the Social Service Law requires designated professionals to report to the SCR when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child before them in their professional capacity has been abused or maltreated.

• Or, when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or maltreated child where the parent, guardian, custodian, or other person legally responsible for such child comes before them in their professional official capacity and states from personal knowledge, facts, conditions, or circumstances which, if correct, would render the child an abused or maltreated child, then they must report. (Refer to p. 3 in your handouts.)

• Whenever such person is required to report as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency, he or she shall make the report as required by this title.

• Nothing in this section or title is intended to require more than one report from any institution, school, or agency.

• No retaliatory personnel action is allowed.

Key Points:

1. The role of the mandated reporter is to report suspected incidents of child abuse and maltreatment.
2. Reports need to be made to the SCR immediately upon the development of reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment.