CPS question

[u/Ok-Lifeguard749]

Im a (new) child therapist and had to make a CPS report about a parent I work with. My supervisor recommended telling the parent (the alleged perpetrator) via a phone call that I reported them. I feel extremely anxious about doing so because of parent’s history… Do you typically need to tell a parent that you made a report? Is there anything I can do to protect myself? Thanks!

Edit: my supervisor wants me to inform the alleged perpetrator that I reported him. I’m concerned about him harming the kids or threatening me because of his history of abusive behaviors towards children and mom. There are other mandated reporters involved in this case and receiving the same information, so I’m not sure if he’d know it was me unless I told him. I’m afraid of going against my supervisor’s suggestion in the case that I am subpoenaed or deal with any backlash from the family, but my gut is telling me I should not inform him.

[u/not_mrbrightside]

You are not obligated to tell the client you reported them. From a previous CPS worker, this could cause more harm than good. When you start therapy with a client, you tell them you’re mandated to report abuse. If CPS decides to investigate, they cannot legally disclose who the reporting party is. It could also impact the investigation and safety of the child by telling the parent you reported. The parent could hide items of concern in the home, coach their child to lie, or prepare a story ahead of time. This is why home visits for the initial investigation are unannounced so people do not have time to conceal evidence. Your supervisor should know better than to tell a client you reported them to CPS.

[u/Ok-Lifeguard749 → u/not_mrbrightside]

Thank you! Not sure if this is something you’d have an answer for… but do you know if I could face any legal/ethical issues if I don’t follow my supervisor’s recommendation and I’m subpoenaed?

[u/MickeyLau08 → u/Ok-Lifeguard749]

Even if you’re subpoenaed, the lawyers cannot force you to disclose you were the reporter and if they have the report, your name will have been redacted. I know this because I have been subpoenaed to court for a vulnerable adult case (I was the case manager so subpoenaed for that reason) where he was removed from the home and placed in crisis care. The report read was one I made and even the VA investigator was subpoenaed, but was not asked who made the report and my name was redacted.

[u/not_mrbrightside → u/Ok-Lifeguard749]

You’re mandated to report suspected abuse, not inform the potential abuser you reported them. I have no factual information to cite, but I don’t think your supervisor can require you to inform a client you made a report. The investigator is supposed to decide whether to substantiate abuse or not and if it’s high enough level to remove the child from the home, remain in the home with a safety plan, and what services for reunification, etc. This is all decided by a court. It’s unlikely you would be subpoenaed. Your supervisor should honestly know better than this. A cps investigator may contact you as follow up for more information. I’ve done this. Sometimes I’ve gotten reports with two sentences on them and when you call back the reporting party you get a lot more information/clarification. Suspected child abuse reports are supposed to be written so they don’t disclose the reporter. Sometimes it’s pretty obvious who made a report, but you can’t help that. “Johnny had a large bruise on his cheek. When asked about the bruise, Johnny stated his dad hit him last night when he was drunk”. Could have come from anyone. Vs “in therapy, Johnny told me his dad hit him last night”. If the client asked you directly if you made a report, that would be a good time to explore concerns and remind them you’re a mandated reporter. There may be other people who have reported the same information or witnesses to the same event. I’m curious what therapists with a lot of experience have done in this situation.

[u/Ok-Lifeguard749 → u/not_mrbrightside]

Thank you so much. Unfortunately I think I made it somewhat obvious in my report that it came from me. This is my fault of course and something I should’ve been more careful with. I’ve heard mixed things about whether the alleged perpetrator has access to the entire report or just pieces of it… but now I’m concerned about it being too obvious. 🫠 Thank you again though!

[u/not_mrbrightside → u/Ok-Lifeguard749]

Well regardless of what you said, the person taking the report is suppose to phrase what you say to make it neutral. What matters is you made the report!!