If a serious incident takes place, which effects or may affect clients or staff safety and welfare, the supervisor is responsible to report each incident to the Executive Director.

In addition, a written report of the incident shall be given to the Executive Director. A copy of this report shall be placed in the client’s file if an enrolled client of the agency is involved.

What incidents involving children must I report?
(1) You must report the following incidents immediately and in no instance later than forty-eight hours to your local children’s administration intake staff and the child’s DCYF worker:

• (a) Death, serious illness or injury, or psychiatric care that requires medical treatment or hospitalization of a child in care;
• (b) Any time you suspect physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child as required under chapter 26.44 RCW;
• (c) Sexual contact between two or more children that is not considered typical play between preschool children;
• (d) Any disclosure by a child in care of sexual or physical abuse;
• (e) Any child’s suicide attempt that results in injury requiring medical treatment or hospitalization;
• (f) Any use of physical restraint that is improperly applied or excessive;
• (g) Physical assault between two or more children that result in injury requiring off-site medical attention or hospitalization;
• (h) Physical assault of a foster parent, employee, volunteer or others by children in care that results in injury requiring off-site medical attention or hospitalization;
• (i) Any medication that is given or consumed incorrectly and requires off-site medical attention; or
• (j) Property damage that is a safety hazard and is not immediately corrected or may affect the health and safety of children.

(2) You must report the following incidents related to a child in care as soon as possible or in no instance later than forty-eight hours, to the child’s DCYF worker:

• (a) Suicidal/homicidal thoughts, gestures, or attempts that do not require professional medical treatment;
• (b) Unexpected health problems outside the usual range of reactions caused by medications, that do not require professional medical attention;
• (c) Any incident of medication incorrectly administered or consumed;
• (d) Physical assault between two or more children that results in injury but did not require professional medical treatment;
• (e) Physical assault of a foster parent, employee, volunteer or others by children that results in injury but did not require professional medical treatment;
• (f) Drug and/or alcohol use by a child in your care;
• (g) Any inappropriate sexual behavior by or toward a foster child; or
• (h) Use of prohibited physical restraints for behavior management.

(WAC 388-147-1540 )