School Nurse Procedure Manual - The School District of Philadelphia

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIASCHOOL NURSE PROCEDURE MANUALSUBJECT: CHILD ABUSE / NEGLECT NUMBER 111.10/504.5CLASSIFICATION:NOTIFICATION OF PARENTS (DEC. 98)After the referral of a suspected case of child abuse and/or neglect is made, every effort must bemade to notify the parents of the fact. However, where the parent or guardian is the suspectedabuser, the Department of Human Services (DHS) shall be consulted prior to informing the parentor guardian of the referral. Where the DHS investigator requests that notice not be made, becauseit may compromise the investigation or endanger the child, the principal may allow DHS to assumeresponsibility for the above notice.Premature notice has, in the past, resulted in the suspected abuser removing the child from theschool, prior to the arrival of an investigator, in an effort to hide the child from authorities.September 1, 2002 Page 63