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Home > Responding to Child Abuse & Neglect > Intake, Investigation, & Assessment > Safety and Risk Assessment
Safety and Risk Assessment
In the course of child protective services interventions, safety and risk assessments are often conducted to determine how safe children are in their environments and what is the level of risk for future harm. Assessments also often include identification of families' strengths and their own perceptions of their problems and strengths. Resources include State and local examples.
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Safety Intervention Policy Standards and Agency Self-Assessment (PDF - 274 KB)
National Resource Center for Child Protective Services (2007)
Assists agencies in assessing the quality, precision and clarity of safety intervention policy in relationship to its relevance to the line worker and front line supervisors.
Screening and Assessment for Family Engagement, Retention, and Recovery (SAFERR)
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2007)
Guidebook to help caseworkers screen parents for potential substance use disorders in order to make decisions about children's safety.
A Guided Tour of Risk Assessment in Child Welfare (PDF - 102 KB)
Minnesota University, St. Paul, School of Social Work (2000)
Contains several checklists that can be used to assess strengths and risks of families and to direct reasonable efforts for family reunification. Two background reports, relevant to Minnesota service providers, are included.
ACTION for Child Protection
Provides training and technical assistance to child welfare agencies on safety decision-making. View their archives for articles addressing a number of issues related to safety and risk assessment.
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Assessing Abusers' Risks to Children
Bancroft & Silverman (2004)
In Protecting Children From Domestic Violence: Strategies for Community Intervention
View Abstract
This chapter outlines 13 factors that should be assessed when determining the risk presented to children who continue to have contact with an abusive parent.
Assessing Dangerousness: Violence by Batterers and Child Abusers
Campbell (2007, 2nd ed.)
View Abstract
Addresses risk assessment and prediction of child physical abuse, fatal child abuse, and intimate partner violence, including descriptions of instruments to measure the likelihood of violent behavior.
Beyond Risk: Improving Assessments to Keep People Safer (Rev. Ed.) (Word - 134 KB)
Kinney, Vaughn, & Strand (2000)
Suggests strategies to improve family assessments and treatment plans by engaging all family members and extended family, neighbors, friends, and other service providers throughout the process.
CARA: A Web-Based Learning Environment for Child Protection Workers
The Children and Family Research Center
A learning environment for child protection investigators, caseworkers, and follow-up workers to explore the complexity of safety and risk factors for children.
Child Maltreatment Risk Assessments: An Evaluation Guide
Righthand, Kerr, & Drach (2003)
View Abstract
This manual provides empirically-based guidelines for forensic child maltreatment evaluations. Tips for preparing an evaluation report are included.
A Comparison of Approaches to Risk Assessment in Child Protection and Brief Summary of Issues Identified From Research on Assessment in Related Fields (Word - 235 KB)
Child Welfare League of America (2005)
Summarizes issues and findings related to actuarial vs. theoretical empirically-guided approaches to assessment based on research in related social science fields.
The Foundation of Safety Assessment
ACTION for Child Protection (2003)
Discusses the differences between present danger and foreseeable danger in child welfare practice, and the difficulties in assessing foreseeable danger.
Issues in Risk Assessment in Child Protective Services
Hughes & Rycus
Journal of Public Child Welfare, 1(1), 2007
View Abstract
Summarizes findings of the risk assessment literature and recommends strategies to improve decisions that promote child safety by utilizing a continuum of empirically supported decision-making tools, each designed for a specific purpose during the life of the case.
The Next Step: Integrating Actuarial Risk Assessment and Clinical Judgment into an Evidence-Based Practice Framework in CPS Case Management
Shlonsky & Wagner
Children and Youth Services Review, 27(4), 2005
View Abstract
Presents structured decision making as an approach that integrates predictive and contextual assessment strategies into child welfare practice. Both actuarial risk assessments and objective assessments of family strengths and needs are used.
Protective Services Caseworkers' Understanding of the DSM: Improving Risk Assessment Through Professional Development Training
Davidson
Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 6(3), 2003
View Abstract
Describes a sample training program that utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM) to help workers understand mental health evaluation reports.
Risk and Safety Assessment in Child Welfare: Instrument Comparisons (PDF - 263 KB)
University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research (2005)
Current approaches, research evidence for various tools/instruments, descriptions of instruments, and implications for practice. California's efforts to standardize the process across the State are discussed.
The Safety Decision (PDF - 73 KB)
ACTION for Child Protection (2007)
Explains what a safety assessment is, its purpose, the decision-making process, and conclusions of safety assessments.
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State and local examples
Child Protective Services Safety Intervention Standards (PDF - 167 KB)
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (2006)
Discusses principles of practice for safety intervention and responsibilities related to access, initial assessment and investigation, and ongoing monitoring. Standards are then provided for assessing child safety in a number of areas.
Oregon Medical Guidelines for Evaluation of Sexual Abuse in Children and Adolescents (PDF - 1340 KB)
Reichert, Keltner, Reilly, & Skinner (Eds.) (2004, 2nd ed.)
Reflects many of the advancements in efforts toward honing diagnostic and intervention skills of professionals providing care for young victims.
Safety Assessment
Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program (2006)
One-day training session providing information on how to conduct a safety assessment in Pennsylvania, including a standard assessment tool to conduct a strength-based family assessment and develop a safety plan and as a precursor to developing a family service plan.
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