Administrative Procedure No. 411

Background

The Board of Education requires that all employees concern themselves with the physical, social, and emotional welfare of each student.

Abuse or neglect of children and youth is a serious matter which is not to be left unchecked by persons charged with the care of students.

Procedures

Procedures

1. Reporting Children in Need of Protective Services

 

1. All procedures and information on reporting children in need of protective services are contained in the Provincial Child Abuse Protocol http://www.saskjustice.gov.sk.ca/overview/publications/Provincial_Child_Abuse_Protocol_1995.pdf

 

2. Principals are to familiarize themselves and their staffs with the protocol.

 

3. It is not the responsibility of school personnel to investigate if a child is abused or neglected prior to reporting their suspicions.

 

4. If it is clear that reasonable grounds to report do exist, then consultation with colleagues, child protection workers, and police services must occur. This consultation may occur without making a formal report; however, consultation cannot cause a delay that would put the child at further risk.

 

5. Employees are not to contact the child’s family, the alleged abuser, or other individuals to inform or further investigate the suspected abuse or the circumstances of the suspected abuse. This is the role of child protection workers and police services.

 

6. All information regarding child abuse and neglect is to be treated as confidential.

 

7. If an employee has reasonable grounds to believe that a child is being abused or neglected, the employee must immediately report her/his concern to the principal.

 

8. The principal is to ensure that the suspected abuse is reported to a child protection worker or police services.

 

9. If a child protection worker or police officer wishes to interview a child at the school, s/he is to make the request to the principal, and:

 

1. The principal is to ensure direct access to the child by the child protection worker and the police officer.

2. If a teacher or other trusted adult is requested by the child protection worker or police officer to be present during the interview, the principal is to arrange for that person’s presence.

3. If a teacher or trusted adult is not requested by the child protection worker or police officer to be present, the principal is to request that a child advocate be present.

4. The principal is to inform anyone who is present as a child advocate that s/he may be subpoenaed to appear in court if there are legal proceedings.

5. The principal is to request written confirmation at the end of the investigation which confirms the meeting arrangements, the assistance of the school, and the general outcome of the investigation.

6. The principal is to retain a copy of the written confirmation on file.

2. Cooperation with Youth Workers and Police

 

1. Interview and Interrogation

 

1. Principals and teachers are to cooperate with the police when they find it necessary to interrogate students. All parties are to govern themselves in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act

 

2. All requests by police for interviews or interrogation with students are to be directed to the principal.

 

3. Except by specific request to the contrary by police, the principal is to notify, if necessary, the parent or guardian in advance of the interview or interrogation .

 

4. The principal is to arrange for the interviews and interrogation to be held in private. The principal or designate can be present for the interview if the student requests.

 

5. If the police request to take a student from the school, the principal is to suggest that the officer contact the parent or guardian using the principal’s telephone to inform them of the police action.

 

6. However, the police will act as their duty directs. This may require the arrest and removal of the student from the school without giving prior notice to parents or guardians.

 

7. In either event, the principal is to advise the parents or guardians of the police action as soon as is possible.

 

2. Search

    

   1. Principals and teachers are authorized to search school property in order to maintain order, safety, or discipline.

    

   2. Each school is to develop procedures and policies with respect to regular inspection by teachers of desks, lockers, and other school property used for storage of student materials. These procedures and policies must be communicated to the students upon registration.

    

   3. If the principal or teacher ascertains that there are reasonable grounds for belief that a criminal offense is being, or has been committed, that a search of the student or property will provide evidence in these matters, or will lead to the conclusion that the commission of a criminal offense has or is about to occur, a search can proceed subject to the following:

    

   1. The search should proceed immediately if there is reason to believe that the safety of the student or other students is in question.

   2. If the safety of the student or other students is not in question:

   1. Attempts should be made to have the student concerned present and consent to the search.

   2. Where the student is not present, or does not consent to the search or the school officials do not wish to undertake the search under their own authority, school officials are to contact the police and the search proceed under their direction.

   3. At least one witness is to be present when a search takes place.

   4. The police must conduct all intrusive searches.

    

   4. Any search on school premises initiated by the police is to be:

    

   1. Authorized by warrant or,

   2. In relation to drugs or weapons or,

   3. Incidental to the appearance of the police to arrest a student or,

   4. In relation to a school initiated search that results in a request for police assistance.

    

   5. The principal is to accompany the police in any search unless advised by the police to the contrary.

3. Illicit Use of Drugs and Alcohol

    

   1. The principal may suspend any student who is in possession of, distributing, selling, or supplying drugs or alcohol listed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act or The Food and Drug Act and is on school premises, school buses, or at school sponsored activities. The suspension is to be in accordance with Administrative Procedure No. 409.

    

   2. Any student convicted of trafficking in drugs on school property, school activities, or school buses is to be suspended in accordance with Administrative Procedure No. 409 after consultation with the Director of Education.

    

   3. Any student who has a drug or alcohol problem and confides in a teacher or principal for the purpose of overcoming the problem is to be directed to appropriate programs and services for assistance.

    

   4. The principal and staff are to cooperate fully with parents, community agencies, and law enforcement agencies in their attempts to solve problems associated with drug and alcohol usage.