The Nanny’s Role in Reporting Child Abuse

Thank you to the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (NCCANCH) for the valuable information provided in this article.

The International Nanny Association cannot guarantee accuracy of the information/phone number. Check your local listings and call your local reporting agency for more information.

So what is the ‘protocol’ for reporting abuse, and are nannies mandated to report abuse? According to the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (NCCANCH) all 50 states require individuals to report abuse, be it in the capacity of a child care worker or a concerned individual. Each state varies, but the responsibility to us is there.

If you as a nanny, or a parent, or an agency owner suspect abuse, or someone comes to you suspecting abuse, and you feel the necessity to report it, each state has different reporting agencies. We have listed those agencies by state as well as the phone number. If your state is not listed, or if you are calling from a different state other than where the child resides, call Childhelp, 800-4-A-Child (800-422-4453).

Reports should contain the names and addresses of the child and the child’s parents or other persons responsible for the child’s care, the child’s age and sex, the nature and extent of the child’s injury (including any evidence of previous injuries) and any other information that the maker of the report believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries and the identity of the persons responsible for the injuries.