Topic 3: After the Report
Understanding the Child Protective Services Response and Follow-up
In this section you will learn about:
- How Child Protective Services will respond to your report
- The follow-up to the report
The Mission of Child Protective Services
Once you make the difficult decision to report, you will want to know that something has been done to help the child. Sometimes, you hear nothing from Child Protective Services, you see no change in the child’s situation, and you fear that nothing has been done. It is important to understand the role of Child Protective Services and the mission they have been given by the community.
Let’s begin by talking about the mission of Child Protective Services. The mission of Child Protective Services is threefold:
- To respond to reports of child maltreatment
- To strengthen families
- To provide services
How Child Protective Services Responds to Your Report
When Child Protective Services responds to a report, their first and most important concern is the safety of the child(ren). They assess several things in determining initial safety:
- The family’s ability and willingness to provide a safe environment for the child
- Age and ability of the child to protect him or herself
- Presence of a protecting, non-offending caregiver
- Family history of abuse/neglect
- Presence of a disability that affects caregiving
- Caregiver parenting knowledge and skills
- Presence of domestic violence or substance abuse
- Hazardous conditions within the home
- Caregiver response to and cooperation with Child Protective Services
The first contact with the child may be a visit to the school or a visit with the child at his or her home. If Child Protective Services determines that the child is in imminent or immediate danger, action will be taken to ensure the child’s safety. If it is possible for the child to remain in the home with a protective, non-offending caregiver while services are arranged, the offending caregiver may be asked to leave the home. If the child must be removed for his or her safety, the Child Protective Services worker will give the parents or guardian an opportunity to place the child with relatives. When this is not possible, placement in foster care or in group care may be necessary. The ultimate goal is to reunite the family as soon as it is safe for the child.
Child Protective Services responds to valid reports of child abuse or neglect under Virginia law. The goals of the response are to:
- Access child safety
- Strengthen and support families
- Prevent the (re)occurrence of child maltreatment
The Code of Virginia requires an immediate response by Child Protective Services. The actual time it takes to respond depends on immediacy of the safety concerns for the child. The Child Protective Services response is completed within 45 to 60 days. During this time the worker will assess the child’s and family’s situation. The assessment will include:
- Whether or not maltreatment has occurred
- Child safety and the level of risk of the maltreatment (re)occurring
- The service needs of the child and family
The worker will complete the assessment by:
- Interviewing the child, siblings, parents, alleged perpetrator, and other individuals who have knowledge of the family and their situation (this could include you as the child’s teacher)
- Observing the child’s home or the site of the alleged abuse
- Reviewing pertinent records (medical, school, etc.)
Strengthening Families and Providing Services
Child Protective Services will try to identify services that could benefit the family and child. The goal of the services is to ensure a safe environment for the child and to assist the parents in meeting their childrens’ safety, health, and developmental needs. Services are identified throughout the community network. It is important that all community resources, including schools, work together to help families provide safe homes for their children.
Follow-up
As the reporter, you have a right to know what happened within the bounds of confidentiality requirements. Department of Social Services policy requires that you receive written feedback on your report. Child Protective Services will share information with you regarding the report and the follow-up as long as it is in the child’s best interest and you have a need to know. If you are not contacted by the Child Protective Services worker within 45-60 days of the report and you wish to learn the outcome of the Child Protective Services response, you may call the worker assigned to the report or the supervisor.
As the child’s teacher, you will most likely continue to have contact with the family. This may be a bit awkward. Remember, the report was made to protect the child. It is important to keep the focus on the child. Be honest and objective in your interactions with the parents. Be supportive, and let them know that you are available to them.
