Are Social Work Students Mandated Reporters?
More often than not—yes.
Social work students often receive instruction or training about when to report abuse, neglect, or self-neglect of a child, older adult, or vulnerable person but making that first call or online report can be both confusing and anxiety-provoking.
Are social work students mandated reporters?
In Texas and many other states, the answer is “yes” because all individuals over the age of 18 are mandated reporters.
This, however, may not be true where you live because laws will vary from state to state.
All pre-licensed social work students are responsible for knowing the laws that govern reporting in their state or area. You may have an ethical and legal responsibility to make a report.
To learn more about your requirements, you can search something like:
Who is a mandated reporter in New York State?
or
Who is a mandated reporter in the Navajo Nation?
or
What professions are mandated reporters in New Mexico?
If you do not know if you can or should report suspicions of abuse or neglect, you should immediately reach out and ask your supervisor or a trusted social work instructor for guidance. Do not wait. Many states have legal requirements to report within a specific period of time—such as 24 or 72 hours when specific behaviors or evidence is first observed.
You can also ask to receive additional training or supervision about how and when to report. Many state agencies have specific training for professionals who are more likely to be in a position where they will need to report abuse or neglect. These professions include doctors, nurses, teachers, day care workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, police officers, clergy, and, of course, social workers.
Even social workers who have been licensed for many years sometimes ask themselves, “Is this something I should report?” You are not alone in trying to understand your role and responsibility when it comes to reporting. Ongoing training and education about when to report is important for all of us.
Students may ask themselves questions like:
• I’m not licensed. Will it “count” if I make a report?
• Will I need to disclose that I’m a BSW or MSW student?
• Do I really need to report? Can my internship supervisor do it for me?
• I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. What will happen to my client if I report this?
• Will reporting do more harm than good?
• This is my first semester. What if I get this wrong?
• What happens if I report my suspicions of abuse and the client retaliates?
Asking these questions—and then looking for the answers—is all a part of the learning experience of the social work student.
Social work students are not expected to investigate abuse or neglect.
It is not the role of the social work student to investigate suspicions of abuse or neglect. Mandated reports are not expected to gather evidence, interview others, or make recommendations to law enforcement. The only expectation is to report if you are required by law to report.
Remember: Social work students and social workers play an important role in keeping children and families safe.