3.8: Duty to Report

Organizations delivering Powerhouse® to children and youth must ensure staff and volunteers understand their duty to report and the reporting process that applies when concerns arise about a young person’s safety or well-being.

Understanding the Duty to Report

Staff and volunteers do not need to determine or prove that harm has occurred before taking action. When a concern reaches the threshold for reporting, the appropriate reporting process should be followed.

Staff and volunteers should understand that:

• The responsibility to report belongs to the individual who has the concern. 
• Discussing a concern with a supervisor or manager does not replace the individual’s responsibility to report. 
• Previous involvement with child-protection services does not necessarily remove the responsibility to report a new concern. 
• It is the role of the appropriate child-protection authority—not Powerhouse® staff—to determine what happens after a concern is reported. 

Have the Process in Place

Before delivering Powerhouse®, ensure staff and volunteers know:

• What circumstances may trigger a duty to report. 
• Who receives reports in your jurisdiction and how to contact them.
• How to make a report. 
• Who can provide internal support during the process. 
• How reports and related information are documented according to organizational policy. 

Your organization’s internal process should help staff and volunteers understand and fulfill their reporting responsibilities.

Know Your Local Requirements

Duty-to-report requirements vary across Canada. Before delivering Powerhouse®, your organization is responsible for understanding the child-protection legislation and reporting requirements that apply in your province or territory and ensuring your policies and procedures align with them.