In reported cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, the principal shall, when requested by the Department of Community Resources and Employment or First Nations Child and Family Services permit personnel to conduct interviews with children on school premises without parental notification. 

Whether reported by a school official or not, it may be necessary for child protection services caseworkers to interview the child without parental consent. (This is done routinely in cases of sexual abuse where it is critical for a child’s safety that he/she be interviewed first and receive protection from his/her parent, if that is required.)

Because the report may include allegations of assault, which is an offence under the criminal code of Canada, the child protection services caseworker may be accompanied by a peace officer. Therefore, direct access to the child is to be allowed in these matters.

A child protection worker wishing to interview a child shall make the request of the principal, and subsequently provide confirmation of the request in writing. The child protection worker’s letter shall indicate that the interview is based on the need for the child’s protection, confirm the meeting arrangements, acknowledge the assistance of the principal, and indicate the general outcome of the investigation with respect to the child.

The principal shall make the necessary arrangements for such confidential interviews, and shall retain the written confirmation from the child protection worker in his administrative files. Additionally, the principal shall provide the Director of Education with a copy of the written confirmation.

The principal may request to be present at such interviews in loco parentis. However, he/she should be aware that he/she may be subpoenaed to give testimony if the matter goes to court. Furthermore, he/she should be aware that his/her presence may also interfere with his relationship with the family. 

BOARD APPROVED:

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