If a student confides in a teacher what are the rules on who is told?

Question

Just wondering if a teacher would have to tell the student before they phone social services? It just seems a little scary for the student if they dont know whats going on, so I was wondering what would happen? Thanks

Answer 1

No. Unless there are obscure statutes in your state, there aren't any requirements the student notify the teacher. In an ethical sense, one might argue the teacher has a responsibility to notify the proper authorities if he/she is aware of a hazardous situation involving a student.

Answer 2

When a student confides in a teacher, the teacher needs to explain that if the young person is in any kind of danger, then, he or she, will need to make sure they are safe., and that might mean talking to other people to make sure they are. Its best if there is a chance for the teacher to say this before the young person decides to confide, then they can choose whether to share their fears or not. If the teacher is experienced in hearing young people, then, they will say exactly who that person will be, why they will do it and when, also they will try to encourage the young person to talk to someone at home, or someone else they trust. Teachers have special rules they have to follow and they are all about keeping young people safe. There are special rules about contacting social services. Each school in England has a Child Protection Co-ordinator. That person will keep information carefully and help decide whether social services need to be informed. If they do, then the young person should be told. Young people usually confide in someone they trust. It takes a lot of courage, I admire that, by confiding they may be able to get the help they need. It is a scary, but very brave thing to do. Its OK to feel shaky about it and not to feel sure that they have done the right thing. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

It really depends on the situation and what exactly is confided. Under the Child Protection Act in the UK institutions (schools and colleges) have to have a policy whereby if a student under 18 discloses that they require protection, and by that I mean are being harmed or are likely to cause harm to others or themselves, then the institution is under obligation to make sure that the appropriate authorities are informed. Each institution will have guidelines on how they follow this procedure, but any student who 'discloses' to a staff member should be told immediately by that person that they may have to tell the appropriate authorities. As each situation is different, i.e age of the student (particularly if under 16), timescale of when events have occurred, younger people in the family who may be harmed, there is no hard and fast rule for who is informed. For example, it may be Social Services or it could be the emergency services if a student stated they wanted to commit suicide.

The student should be informed if Social Services are to be contacted, but the preconception that they will immediately move in to take people away from home is misleading. Social Services investigate any situation fully and if the student is older i.e. 17 or 18 they can ask Social Services to talk to them directly to discuss the situation. They may discuss a range of measures, depending on if there is still a danger, or if the danger has passed and will inform the student of any support available.

Answer 4

it depends on what is being told

generally a teacher is supposed to be like a GP, everything is confidential - between the teller and listener

however if what is being told involves domestic or sexual abuse, bullying or any other violence then the necessary people at the school have to be informed, and sometimes outside agencies such as social services, family mediation ect

but the student will always be kept informed and even more so if they ask to be let know about every stage that is happening and when.- generally a student will be kept out of the loop if it is "too close to home" and the people involved - who know - feel it is in the persons interests to be kept out of it all.

Answer 5

Teachers are ethically required and required by law in many states to report a student if the teacher is afraid that the student is in danger (either from himself/herself or from others), or afraid that the student poses a danger to others.

I have been a teacher for many years, and have students confide in me many times. Usually, I just listen, sometimes I give advice. Only twice have I reported what I was told. Once when I was afraid that a student might committ suicide, and once when a female student was being physically abused by her boyfriend. I hated to break the confidence, but frankly my students' lives and safety are more important.

Answer 6

It most certainly depends on what the student confided.
If the student told the teacher ANYTHING about a rape, molestation, abuse, anything, then the teacher must go directly to the police/social services. They can't even go to the principal first. No, the student does not have to be told, but the teacher would most likely say something when they are talking. It's funny... I told a counselor about a rape, and she did nothing. I told the same counselor that my dad spanked me, and she turned him into authorities. funny how the world works sometimes.

Answer 7

In my state, teachers are on the list of Mandated Reporters for issues of sexual abuse, child abuse, child neglect, and child endangerment. Other professions on the list are: Social Workers, Police Officials, Medical Workers. All these must report this kind of abuse and also financial abuse of the elderly.

Other issues are a matter of ethics. Either way, if the teachers are interested in continuing a good relationship with the student, informing the student of the need to report must be done.

Answer 8

Depends on how old the student is, and what they tell the teacher. Serious things will be told to the ss but they will need to discuss this with the student.

Answer 9

Should be based on how much immediate danger the student concerned is in.

But then Im not into rules Ill play it by ear.

What are you refering to as you have us worried about you or your friend if you are asking this

Answer 10

No they don't have to, although Social Service will need to speak to the child anyway so, ethically, it would probably be best to tell the child.