Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
District 13 Durham

OCT & CAS

The Council of the Ontario College of Teachers approved the Professional Advisory on the Duty to Report on June 4, 2015. This advisory applies to all members of the Ontario College of Teachers, including, but not limited to, teachers, consultants, vice-principals, principals, supervisory officers, directors of education and those working in non-school-board positions.
Additionally, members are encouraged to be familiar with OSSTF Professional Conduct Guidelines.

Duty to Report according to the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA):

A person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection must promptly report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based directly to a Children’s Aid Society. This person has an ongoing duty to make further reports if they have additional reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection. This person must report these concerns directly to a Children’s Aid Society and must not rely on anyone else to report on their behalf. (CFSA s.72)

 

Durham Children's Aid Society

(905) 433-1551

www.durhamcas.ca 

Due Process Tips if a CAS complaint has been filed against you.

If you are informed that you are the subject of a child protection investigation involving a student:

DO

  • Express your willingness to cooperate but let the person conducting the investigation know that you are unable to comment until contacting an OSSTF representative.
  • Immediately contact the District Office. If unable to reach anyone, contact Provincial Office.
  • Inquire about your procedural rights, the process, location of the interview and possible outcomes of the child protection investigation.

DO NOT

  • Do not talk or communicate with colleagues or anyone else about the investigation. They may be placed in a position of being witnesses.
  • Do not provide a written statement about an incident without consulting your union rep.

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