Table 5.

Third-order constructs in terms of recommendations to MRs

When	What/How
Before identification or disclosure of child maltreatment	Be aware of jurisdiction-specific legislation on reportable child maltreatment. Most reporting legislation requires that you report suspicions of child maltreatment and not wait for physical evidence of maltreatment; Be aware of the level of evidence that CPS requires to substantiate a report in your jurisdiction; acquiring this knowledge will likely require discussions with your local CPS; Be aware of child maltreatment experts in your institution or jurisdiction that you can consult with about suspected cases of child maltreatment; Be aware of the roles of your colleagues and CPS in the reporting process. Try to arrange times to communicate with both groups about issues related to child maltreatment and reporting to increase opportunities for collaboration and trust; Take training related to how to identify child maltreatment, especially less overt forms of child maltreatment; how best to respond to children exposed to maltreatment; and best practices for filing a report; Be aware of the limitations of your decision-making about child maltreatment, in terms of conflicting values about parental rights, family preservation and other cultural factors. The child’s rights and well-being should always be prioritised in cases of suspected child maltreatment.
At the beginning of a relationship with a child or family	When you start a relationship with a child or family, disclose your reporting duties and the limits of your confidentiality to whomever is in your care.
Immediate response to disclosure	Respond in a non-judgemental way, showing compassion, support and belief of the child’s experiences; If you are unsure if the form of maltreatment is reportable, first consult with colleagues or CPS about the case, ensuring the confidentiality of your patient is maintained; If the identified form of maltreatment is reportable in your jurisdiction and it is safe to do so, take time to remind the child and parent of your role as a mandated reporter. Discuss how you will file a report and what CPS responses to your report may entail; Be sensitive to the parent’s needs and well-being during the reporting process. Be professional and non-judgemental with the offending caregiver; Ensure that the child is safe during the reporting process; for example, report at the beginning of the school day or when the accused will be otherwise occupied; Remember that your moral responsibility to respond to the child or family in need is separate from your responsibility to report maltreatment.
Debriefing after report	In a confidential manner, take time to debrief about the reported case with a trusted colleague. Self-care is important.

CPS, child protective services; MRs, mandated reporters.