CALL US TODAY!

(617) 263-2633

51A REPORTS

DCF / 51A REPORTS

51A REPORTS 1

A REPORT IS MADE

All DCF involvement begins here with a 51A report. A 51A report is a formal allegation of child abuse or neglect. The term “51A” comes from Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 51A, which outlines the process of reporting suspected child maltreatment. The report serves as the initial step in DCF’s involvement with a family.

WHO CAN FILE A 51A REPORT?

There are three people who can file 51A reports: mandated reporters, non-mandated reporters, and anonymous reports.

MANDATED REPORTERS

A mandated reporter is someone who, by law in Massachusetts, must report any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). These are professionals who regularly work with children, including, but not limited to:
  • Teachers, school staff, and daycare providers.
  • Doctors, nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals.
  • Social workers.
  • Police officers, probation officers, and firefighters.
  • Clergy members.
  • Childcare providers and administrators.
  • Therapists, psychiatrists, & psychologists.
Mandated reporters must file a verbal report immediately if they have a suspicion that abuse or neglect is occurring. Failing to report suspected abuse or neglect can lead to legal consequences such as fines or even jail time. When a mandated reporter makes a report, their identity, professional role, and relationship to the child are documented, but these details are redacted and not disclosed to the public.

NON-MANDATED REPORTERS

Non-mandated reporters are people who aren’t legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, but choose to do so anyway. This can include anyone, such as neighbors, friends, extended family, or concerned members of the community.

Unlike mandated reporters, they don’t have to give their name or contact information. If they choose to share their information, they are considered non-mandated reporters. If they don’t, they’re deemed anonymous reporters.

ANONYMOUS REPORTERS

Anonymous reporters are people who file a 51A report without giving their name to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This option helps protect them from possible backlash, especially if they’re worried about how the person being reported might react. While mandated reporters have to share their name and address, non-mandated reporters can choose to stay anonymous.

51A Report FAQs

What is a 51A report?

A 51A report is a formal allegation of child abuse or neglect that indicates the start of DCF involvement.

“51A” comes from Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 51A. This segment of the Massachusetts General Law outlines the process of reporting suspected child maltreatment.
Mandated reporters, non-mandated reporters, and anonymous reporters can file a 51A report.
A mandated reporter is someone who is legally required to report any suspected child abuse or neglect. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, police officers, and doctors.
A non-mandated reporter is someone who isn’t required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect, but still chooses to. Some examples might be family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
An anonymous reporter is someone who chooses not to share their personal information with DCF when making a report. Only non-mandated reporters can be anonymous, since mandated reporters are required to share all of their information with DCF.

UNDERSTANDING THE DCF SCREENING PROCESS

When a 51A report is filed with DCF, the first step in the process is known as screening. This is when a DCF Screener – the first person to review the report – decides whether the allegations meet the criteria for DCF to get involved. The screener typically has 2 to 48 hours to make this decision.

WHO CAN FILE A 51A REPORT?

Before anything else, DCF must determine whether it has legal jurisdiction. DCF only investigates reports involving a child under 18 and an alleged perpetrator who is a caretaker.

A caretaker, according to DCF, is anyone who is entrusted with a degree of responsibility for a child, even temporarily. This includes parents, grandparents, foster parents, guardians, pediatric nurses, teachers, daycare workers, police officers, clergy members, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, bus drivers, social workers, babysitters, but DCF uses a broad definition. Even someone under 18 can be seen as a caretaker if they were trusted to look after the child at the time of the alleged abuse or neglect.

If either of these factors is missing, the report will not move forward.

SCREENED IN

A report is screened in if it includes credible allegations that suggest a child has been – or is at risk of being – abused or neglected. DCF will consider:

  • Whether the allegations meet the legal definition of abuse or neglect.
  • The severity and urgency of the reported concerns.
  • Whether the child is in immediate danger.
  • If there’s a history of prior reports involving the same child or family.
  • Any past police responses to the home.
  • Whether the caretakers have a DCF history or criminal record

When DCF decides the report meets their standards of child abuse or neglect and they have jurisdiction, the case will be screened in and assigned for either an emergency or non-emergency investigation, depending on the situation’s urgency.

SCREENED OUT

A report is screened out if it does not meet the legal definition of abuse or neglect, lacks critical information, or falls outside DCF’s jurisdiction. Common reasons for screening out include:

  • The child is over 18.
  • The alleged offender is not considered a caretaker.
  • The situation doesn’t qualify as abuse or neglect.
  • The information is vague, unreliable, or insufficient to investigate.
  • DCF does not have jurisdiction based on the facts provided.

In screened-out cases, the report is typically closed with no further action.

51A Report FAQs

What happens after a 51A report is made?

After a 51A report is made, DCF’s screening process begins.

A DCF screener will decide whether the allegations from the 51A meet the criteria for DCF to get involved.
The screener typically has 2 to 48 hours to decide whether the allegations meet the criteria for involvement.
DCF has to make sure that the report involves a caretaker who is the alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect against someone under 18.
DCF defines a caretaker as anyone who is entrusted with a degree of responsibility for a child, even temporarily. A caretaker is usually a parent, stepparent, or guardian, but it can also be a babysitter or teacher.
DCF screeners can either “screen in” or “screen out” the report.
“Screening in” means that the DCF screener has reviewed the 51A report and decided to move forward with involvement. During this process, DCF will consider whether the allegations meet the legal definition of abuse or neglect, the severity and urgency of the reported concerns, whether the child is in immediate danger, and if there’s a history of prior reports involving the same child or family.
A report can be screened in as an emergency or non-emergency investigation, depending on the situation’s urgency.
“Screening out” happens when a report does not meet the legal definition of abuse or neglect, lacks critical information, or falls outside DCF’s jurisdiction. When a report is screened out, it is closed and goes no further.