Background

The District is committed to fostering safe, caring and inclusive learning environments where the safety, well-being, and dignity of every student are protected.

Under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), any person who has reason to believe that a child or youth under the age of 19 is in need of protection has a legal duty to promptly report that concern to a child welfare worker. The duty to report is personal legal obligation and cannot be delegated to another person. Reporting concerns to a supervisor, administrator, counsellor, or colleague does not satisfy this legal obligation.

School district employees are often in a unique position to observe indicators that a child may be experiencing abuse, neglect, harm, or other circumstances requiring protection. Employees are not responsible for investigating concerns; rather, their role is to recognize concerns, make reports when required, and cooperate with authorized agencies.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies (ICFSAs), and police have legislated responsibilities for receiving reports and responding to reports of children who may be in need of protection. Where appropriate, these agencies assess child safety concerns, investigate allegations, and take protective action in accordance with their legal authority.

For the purposes of this Administrative Procedure, reports are to be made to the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), which is responsible for receiving and responding to child protection reports or directing reports as appropriate.

Guiding Principles:

1. The safety and well-being of children and youth are paramount considerations.
2. Every employee has an individual legal duty to report concerns regarding a child or youth who may be in need of protection.
3. Staff should not investigating concerns or determining whether abuse, neglect, exploitation, or trafficking has occurred.
4. Reports shall be promptly made whenever there is reason to believe a child or youth may be in need of protection.
5. Students who disclose concerns will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
6. Child protection is a shared community responsibility requiring collaboration among schools, families, Indigenous communities, child welfare authorities, Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies (ICFSA), police, and community partners.

Definitions:

Child or Youth – Any person under the age of 19 years.

Child Abuse – Includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and other acts or omissions that result in harm or risk of harm to a child or youth.

Child in Need of Protection – A child or youth under the age of 19 who may require protective intervention under the Child, Family, and Community Service Act due to abuse, neglect, emotional harm, sexual exploitation, parental inability or unwillingness to provide care, or other circumstances identified in legislation.

Child Sexual Exploitation – The use of a child or youth for sexual purposes, including coercion, manipulation, grooming, exchange of sexual activity for money, gifts, substances, accommodation, status, or other consideration.

Child Welfare Authority – The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) or an Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency (ICFSA) authorized under legislation to receive and respond to child protection reports.

Disclosure – Information shared by a child or youth, either directly or indirectly, that suggests abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking, or another circumstance in which the child may be in need of protection.

Duty to Report – The legal obligation under the Child, Family and Community Service Act to promptly report concerns that a child or youth may be in need of protection. The duty to report applies even when information is uncertain or incomplete. Proof is not required before making a report.

Human Trafficking – The recruitment, transportation, harbouring, control or influence of a person for the purpose of exploitation. Human trafficking involving children and youth may include sexual exploitation, forced labour, coercion, manipulation, threats, or other forms of control.

Grooming – A pattern of behaviour used to establish trust, emotional connection, dependence or control over a child or youth for the purpose of exploitation, abuse, trafficking, or other harmful conduct.

Neglect – The failure of a parent, guardian, or caregiver to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional, developmental, educational, or medical needs, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, safety, or well-being.

Online Exploitation – The use of digital platforms, social media, gaming environments, messaging applications, or electronic technologies to groom, exploit, harass, extort, manipulate, or abuse a child or youth.

Reason to Believe – Information obtained through observation, disclosure, behaviour, circumstance, or communication that causes a reasonable person to believe a child or youth may be in need of protection.

Trauma-Informed Practice – An approach that recognizes the potential impact of trauma on a child or youth and promotes physical, emotional, and psychological safety while avoiding actions that may cause further distress or harm.

Procedures:

1. Responding to Concerns

1.1 Staff who have reason to believe that a child or youth may be in need of protection must promptly make a report to a child welfare worker at the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The duty to report is an individual legal obligation and cannot be delegated to another person.

1.2 Staff must not attempt to investigate allegations or determine whether abuse, neglect, exploitation, human trafficking, or other harm has occurred. Responsibility for investigating concerns rests with the child welfare authorities and/or police.

1.3 Staff must not contact, interview, or confront the person alleged to have caused harm, except as otherwise required in the performance of their duties.

1.4 Where a child or youth is believed to be in immediate danger, staff must contact emergency services by calling 911 and then make a report to a child welfare worker as soon as possible.

1.5 When reporting to a child welfare worker, if possible, staff shall inform the Principal first that a report is being/has been made. Informing the Principal does not replace an employee’s individual duty to report.

1.6 Staff are required to complete the appropriate confidential documentation in accordance with district procedures and records management requirements.

2. Responding to Student Disclosures

2.1 When a student discloses information that may indicate abuse, neglect, exploitation, human trafficking, or another child protection concern, staff shall;

a. Remain calm, supportive, and attentive;

b. Listen without judgement;

c. Reassure the student that sharing the information was the right thing to do;

d. Avoid making promises of confidentiality;

e. Avoid asking leading, probing, or investigative questions;

f. Explain that the information must be shared with professionals responsible for ensuring the student’s safety;

g. Document the disclosure as soon as possible following district process using factual, objective language:

h. Promptly fufill their duty to report in accordance with this Administrative Procedure

2.2 Staff shall not investigate, verify, or attempt to determine the validity of a disclosure. Responsibility for investigating child protection concerns rests with the child welfare authorities and/or police.

 

3. Reporting Requirements

3.1 Staff who have reason to believe that a child or youth may be in need of protection must promptly make a report to a child welfare worker at the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD).

3.2 The duty to report is an individual legal obligation. Informing a Principal, Vice-Principal, counsellor, colleague, or family member does not satisfy the duty to report.

3.3 Where a child or youth is believed to be in immediate danger, staff shall contact emergency services by calling 911 and make a report to a child welfare worker as soon as possible.

3.4 Staff shall inform the Principal that a report has been made, unless doing so could compromise the safety of the student or the reporting process.

3.5 Staff shall maintain documentation of their observations and actions in accordance with District procedures and records management requirements.

3.6 Staff who receive additional information following a report shall make a further report if they continue to have reason to believe a child or youth may be in need of protection.

4. Indicators of Exploitation or Human Trafficking

4.1 Staff should be aware of indicators that may suggest sexual exploitation, human trafficking, grooming, coercive control, or other forms of exploitation.

4.2 Indicators may include, but are not limited to:

a. unexplained gifts, money, clothing, hotel access, or electronic devices;

b. frequent absences, unexplained travel, or episodes of running away;

c. sudden changes in behaviour, appearance, peer groups, or academic engagement;

d. involvement in relationships characterized by secrecy, control, intimidation, or significant age differences;

e. excessive secrecy regarding online activities or social media interactions;

f. signs of fear, manipulation, coercion, or dependence on another individual; and

g. concerns related to grooming, luring, sextortion.

4.3 The presence of one or more indicators does not confirm exploitation or trafficking. Staff should not investigate whether exploitation has occurred and must follow reporting procedures whenever concerns arise.

5. School Support During Investigations

5.1 The District shall cooperate with child welfare workers, Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies, police, and other authorized agencies in accordance with applicable legislation.

5.2 Schools shall provide a private and appropriate space for interviews or meetings conducted by authorized child welfare workers or police.

5.3 Staff shall maintain confidentiality and share information only as permitted or required by law. Concerns regarding privacy or confidentiality must not prevent a staff member from fulfilling their legal duty to report.

5.4 All inquiries from parents/guardians, media, or other third parties regarding a child protection investigation shall be directed to the appropriate investigating authority or District administration, as applicable.

5.5 Staff are encouraged to consult with school administration and appropriate district inclusive education staff as required.

6. Annual Awareness and Training

6.1 The District will provide annually updated child protection resources and training materials at the beginning of every new school year.

6.2 Principals/Managers shall ensure that all staff receive annual information regarding:

a. Duty-to-report requirements;

b. Recognizing signs of abuse and neglect;

c. Responding to student disclosures;

d. Sexual exploitation and human trafficking awareness;

e. Online safety and exploitation concerns; and

f. District child protection procedures.

6.3 Information regarding child protection responsibilities shall be provided to new employees as part of their orientation/onboarding processes.

6.4 Staff are expected to familiarize themselves with this Administrative Procedure and fulfill their legal duty to report concerns regarding the safety and well-being of children and youth.

August 2026