Question

A preschool mental health consultant meets with a teacher who is concerned about one of her 4-year-old students. The teacher reports that the child has become increasingly aggressive with peers, has started wetting the bed during naptime, and has come to school with bruises that look like belt marks on the backs of her legs. What should the social worker do NEXT?

A. discuss the necessity of reporting the suspected abuse immediately
B. meet with the child and attempt to clarify the cause for the bruises
C. call the child's parents to gather more information
D. make a referral to a pediatrician

Answer 1

A mental health consultant should discuss the immediate reporting of suspected child abuse when a teacher raises concerns such as a child's increased aggression, bedwetting, and noticeable bruises.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a preschool mental health consultant is faced with a teacher's concerns about a child showing signs of potential abuse, the next step should be to discuss the necessity of reporting the suspected abuse immediately. While different professionals may have specific protocols governed by their roles and local jurisdictions, mandated reporters have a legal obligation to report any signs of child abuse they suspect or witness to the appropriate authorities without delay.

In the scenario described, the concerns - increased aggression, bedwetting during naptime, and particularly the observed bruises that suggest potential physical abuse - are strong indicators that must be taken very seriously. The welfare of the child is paramount, and the consultant, like teachers, is likely to be a mandated reporter of child abuse. In most jurisdictions, prompt reporting of suspected child abuse by mandated reporters is not only a professional responsibility but also a legal requirement.