What Happens When Social Service Interviews Parents And Child
| New Jersey Department of Children and Families Policy Manual | |||
| Transmission: | CP&P | Child Protection and Permanency | Effective Date: |
| Volume: | Two | Intake, Investigation and Response | |
| Chapter: | C | Initial Response | 2-6-2012 |
| Subchapter: | 5 | Investigation | |
| Issuance: | 1000 | Interviewing, Gathering and Verifying Information | |
Interviewing, Gathering, and Verifying Data 2-6-2012
"The child protective investigator shall interview the alleged child victim in person and individually, during the investigation of a report containing any allegation. The child protective investigator shall observe each not-verbal declared kid victim. The child protective investigator shall use sensitivity to avoid further trauma to each declared child victim." (Due north.J.A.C. 3A:x-three.1(a)).
"The child protective investigator shall, in completing an investigation of a report containing any allegation:
· Interview, in person and individually, the caregiver and each adult in the abode. The kid protective investigator shall interview the alleged kid victim's caregiver on the same day as the declared child victim, if possible;
· In cases where a service example is currently closed simply had been open within the previous 2 years, interview a prior permanency worker who is the most knowledgeable about the family unit, if he or she is bachelor;
· Interview, in person and individually, each other child residing in the home of the alleged kid victim. The kid protective investigator shall notice each non-verbal child'
· Interview the reporter and each other person identified in the current written report or related information as having knowledge of the incident or as having fabricated an cess of concrete harm, including, only not limited to, the:
i. Physician;
ii. Medical examiner;
iii. Coroner;
iv. Other professional who treated the declared child victim's electric current condition, other than the reporter;
v. Assigned permanency worker;
vi. Youth services provider;
vii. Private agency caseworker; and
viii. Other Department representative working with the alleged child victim or his or her family;
· Interview the alleged perpetrator, in person;
· Obtain and document written approval by a supervisor when seeking to eliminate any requirement listed ... above." (N.J.A.C. 3A:x-3.ane(b))
Unless there is practiced reason not to, all chief persons are interviewed separately and individually. When whatever of these people are not seen during the outset attempt at contact, additional attempts are made as soon as possible.
When domestic violence is alleged or co-occurs with child corruption or neglect, see CP&P-VIII-B-ane-100, Domestic Violence, Department K, "Interviewing," for policies and procedures regarding methodology for, and the sequencing of, interviews with the child, siblings, the non-offending parent/caregiver, and the batterer.
Other siblings, children, and other household/family members are interviewed as before long as possible, until each person is seen. Meet CP&P-Two-C-5-125 . Documentation of each interview is completed within lx (sixty) calendar days of the date SCR assigned the CPS report to the Local Function for response.
The investigation includes contacts with those people who, past the nature of their relationship to the kid, the family, the alleged perpetrator, or the incident, volition be able to give the most relevant data. The Investigator interviews any person who may accept been a witness to the incident, or by incidents, and attempts to contact and interview any person who could reasonably exist expected to take information relevant to the investigation. Such contacts include, but are not limited to: the source of the referral (i.e., the reporter); the child; the parents, guardian or other caregiver; the alleged perpetrator (if not the parent); school personnel; doctors, mental health practitioners and other health professionals who provide wellness care services to the family; the local police; expert witnesses; relatives; family friends; and/or neighbors. Contact with collateral persons does not eliminate the Investigator'south responsibleness to accept contact with an alleged perpetrator. The Investigator makes contacts in person, whenever possible. Run into CP&P-II-C-5-175 .
Tape recording -- including audio recording and video recording -- is not an acceptable method for CP&P field staff to routinely interview clients or others, or gathering and/or verifying information for instance recording or CPS investigation purposes. See CP&P-IX-G-ane-200.
Advising Clients and Perpetrators 2-vi-2012
"(a) The kid protective investigator shall notify the parent of the kid field of study of the investigation and the caregiver of the child subject field of the investigation, if the child will remain in the custody of the caregiver, as soon as possible later interviewing or observing the child or any of his or her siblings that the child(ren) has been interviewed or observed.
(c) The kid protective investigator shall provide the following people with the information specified in (d) below:
one. The alleged child victim in accordance with and in a style appropriate to the declared child victim's age, condition, and capacity to understand and cope with the information;
two. The alleged child victim'south caregiver with physical custody at the time of the incident;
iii. The caregiver with whom the declared child victim ordinarily resides; and
4. The caregiver to whom the alleged child victim will be returned, if the alleged child victim is in an institution at the time of the incident.
(d) The child protective investigator shall provide the post-obit information to those people specified in (a) above:
1. That a study has been made, the nature of the allegation and that an investigation will be conducted;
2. The name and telephone number of the kid protective investigator assigned to investigate and his or her supervisor; and
three. That a child protective investigator is responsible for conducting an investigation pursuant to N.J.Southward.A. xxx:4C-xi and 12 and 9:half-dozen-8.eleven.
(eastward) The child protective investigator shall delay notifying the persons specified in (a) and (c) above, equally long as the delay does not appear to put the alleged child victim at risk, when the police, prosecutor or Deputy Attorney Full general has adamant that notifying them would impede the investigation or litigation.
(k) The kid protective investigator shall inform the temporary caregiver of whatsoever declared kid victim who is in the care of that temporary caregiver at the fourth dimension of the investigation of the provisions of (b) above, when that information is necessary for the temporary caregiver to provide care for the alleged child victim." (Due north.J.A.C. 3A:ten-7.1)
"The child protective investigator shall, upon initial contact, inform each person specifically alleged to be a perpetrator of abuse or fail about the provisions of N.J.A.C. 3A:ten-seven.1 and that he or she has been named the alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect, unless the police, prosecutor, or deputy attorney general advises the child protective investigator to delay providing the information, or when providing such data will jeopardize the investigation." (Northward.J.A.C. 3A:ten-7.two)
See CP&P-III-C-7-100 .
When domestic violence is declared or co-occurs with child corruption or neglect, encounter CP&P-VIII-B-1-100, Domestic Violence, for policies and procedures regarding interviewing the child, siblings, the non-offending parent/caregiver, and the batterer.
Investigation Hindered v-10-2010
If the worker has bug finding the family or in making personal contact for another reason, the worker consults from the field with the Supervisor. The worker or the Supervisor contacts the person making the report or contacts another identified collateral for additional data. Neighbors may be approached past the worker, in an attempt to locate the client family to conduct an investigation. The worker documents any unsuccessful attempts to make personal contact with the family and/or any circumstances that brand personal contact impossible in a Contact Activity Notation in NJS, or in the Investigation Summary, DCF Form two-i. The worker documents the extra steps or strategies she or he uses to effort to brand personal contact when traditional techniques or approaches practice non work.
If, at any point, the parent actively refuses to cooperate or attempts to strength the worker from the abode or threatens violence, the worker withdraws and consults immediately with the Supervisor. If the situation appears to pose firsthand hazard to the victim or other children, or to another person in the dwelling (including a non-calumniating parent who may exist a victim of family violence), the worker summons the police for assistance immediately, then consults with his or her Supervisor. It is the Supervisor'south responsibility to consult with other supervisory staff and/or a Deputy Attorney General and to direct the next steps of the investigation. The DAG should be consulted virtually petitioning the court for an order for investigation (N.J.South.A. 30:4C-12).
The Supervisor and Worker decide whether it is advisable to send the parent a Letter of the alphabet to Client Regarding Need to Cooperate with Child Protective Services Investigation, CP&P Form 26-68.
If the investigation is hindered because a kid/family is missing, see CP&P-III-C-iv-100 for policy and procedures.
When domestic violence co-occurs with child abuse or neglect, run into CP&P-VIII-B-1-100, Domestic Violence, Section F, "Buddy Arrangement and Other Safety Precautions for Worker'south Rubber," and "Interviewing," in Section K.
Order of Interviews five-10-2010
To preserve evidence, assess kid safety, and maintain the integrity of data when conducting a CPS investigation, unless there is good cause not to, interview family members individually. The best order for interviewing family unit members is the following: the child-victim; siblings or other children in the household; the non-offending parent; the alleged perpetrator. This schedule, however, may not always be feasible, realistic or appropriate. The Worker and Supervisor discuss the referral, and, if appropriate, make adjustments to reverberate the realities and special circumstances of the presenting state of affairs. The recommended society is:
1. Interview the child/victim outset in a setting which allows him to feel prophylactic to disembalm information then that the Worker tin determine: If there was one incident or multiple incidents over time; the need for medical test/treatment; details of disclosure; whether anyone else was present or may have been a witness to the incident; whether a visual inspection of the kid is needed, and, if so, whether any of the child'southward clothing will demand to be removed (come across below); and whether anyone else knows most the situation and tin can corroborate information gathered. In add-on, for allegations of sexual corruption: is in that location a progression of sexual activity; are there elements of secrecy, force per unit area or coercion; what opportunity is there - such as, when is the other parent out of the home to allow sexual abuse incidents to take place; explicit details of the sexual practice.
2. Interview siblings and other children in the home or institution adjacent to determine: whether at that place is any gamble to these siblings, whether their statements can validate the child-victim's story. In addition, for allegations of sexual abuse: their involvement in sexual abuse activities, their sensation of sexual abuse activities; when they are absent-minded from the home, to create opportunity.
3. Interview the not-offending parent, guardian or caregiver to acquire whether he or she: was aware of the abuse/fail; was a participant in the activity; has ability to protect the child victim and/or siblings; can further validate the child victim'due south statements. (If the non-offending parent, guardian or caregiver or a sibling of the child-victim is the source of the referral, or if he seeks out CP&P to tell his story, see that family member starting time, then proceed with the investigation outline.)
four. Interview the alleged perpetrator to obtain his explanation of the incident.
5. Interview collateral sources of information and witnesses who could reasonably be expected to take information relevant to the investigation. Based on any new information provided by the child and family members, make boosted collateral contacts to gather information to further validate the study. Consider re-interviewing previously seen persons for boosted information, clarification and details, if relevant. Consider whether to interview neighbors who may take witnessed this or past incidents, behaviors, family unit interactions, patterns, methods used by the parent(south) or others to discipline the kid, or who may wish to express concerns about the advent of, and/or the care given to, the child or other children in the home. (The Worker's objective in contacting collateral sources is to elicit necessary data without disclosing more client information than is absolutely essential.)
When domestic violence co-occurs with child corruption or neglect, see the CP&P-Eight-B-one-100, Domestic Violence, "Interviewing," in Section G.
Directly Contact with the Child Victim(south) 2-24-97
Good casework practice suggests/indicates involving the parent in deportment taken on behalf of the child. Nonetheless, the safety and protection of the child are the first concern of CP&P and must have precedence over parental involvement when the immediacy of a situation indicates the demand for action. Therefore, the Worker speaks with the kid lonely or separately from the parents for at to the lowest degree part of the interview. How and where this is washed is based upon the instance situation and is discussed and planned during the supervisory briefing.
Interviewing a kid in the next room from the parents is one pick if at that place is privacy and then that the child can speak freely without fear of beingness overheard. In other cases, the child may need to exist seen apart from the parents in a neutral, not-threatening setting such as the schoolhouse or other social service setting.
Seeing the Child Lone/Autonomously from the Parents 2-24-97
The worker asks the child how he or she was injured and who was nowadays when it happened. In order for any young kid (and many older children) to provide information, the child must trust the worker to protect him or her. The child additionally must believe that he or she is non betraying a parent or caregiver who is the perpetrator. Immature children typically blame themselves for whatever abuse that is inflicted upon them. In add-on to this, even severely abused children are emotionally dependent on parents who may be their abusers. As a outcome, they are often reluctant to tell what is actually happening to them. The level of trust and rubber that the child victim needs to feel in order to be open with the worker may exist very hard for the worker to establish during the initial response. Oftentimes children do not disclose what really happened to them for weeks, and sometimes non for years, then the disclosure is fabricated only in a safe setting -- the child discloses to a therapist or to a foster parent whom the child trusts. Therefore, the child's version of how he or she was injured -- many times a denial that abuse occurred -- cannot exist taken at face value. It must exist taken in the context of all the other information that is bachelor.
The Worker sees the kid to:
• assure that the kid is currently safe;
• evaluate the kid'southward immediate status (injuries apparent? overall physical condition? health? degree of cleanliness? appropriate evolution for child's historic period?)
• evaluate the child's living conditions, surroundings.
The Worker as well speaks with the kid to determine:
• what the kid knows about the allegation(s) or the incident;
• the presence of, or cause or caption for, any injuries or emotional damage;
• whether handling was obtained, and, if and then, where;
• if the kid feels safe in the habitation;
• if siblings or other children in the dwelling or institution are at risk;
• others who might be aware of the incident or who may have been present during the incident;
• relationships within the family;
• available extended family members as supports.
The investigating Worker tries to provide the child with the fullest opportunity to speak. The Worker changes the interviewing strategy if the one initially selected doesn't seem to work.
Seeing the Kid and Parent(s) Together six-28-95
The Worker observes the interactions of the parents and children when they are together to determine risk to the children and assess strengths every bit well equally areas in which intervention is needed.
The Worker can besides adapt to run across with the entire family as a group to appraise and intervene unless in that location are indications that one family unit member will be violent toward another if they are together.
Interviewing the child is a vital component of an investigation; observing how the family unit functions together is also critical. A kid'due south or parent's actions or reactions in the family group can exist more revealing than the actual words a kid may say (or may exist afraid or unable to say) to the Worker.
Re-interviewing the Child 6-28-95
If the Worker suspects an abuse/neglect incident did occur, but that the child was not free to talk or was not candid in his responses (was seen to be broken-hearted, fearful, provided inconsistent or unrealistic explanations for injuries/events), then the kid should be interviewed once again, mayhap in a more controlled, neutral, less threatening setting. If the parent refuses to let the Worker to further interview the child or to interview the child alone, come across below.
Child Not with His Parent at the Time of Initial Field Response half-dozen-28-95
The Worker may interview the child wherever the kid is when it is necessary to ensure the condom of the child and the integrity of the investigation. Such situations include, but are not limited to:
· a child who may be in demand of immediate medical care;
· the kid who may be at risk of further harm upon his return home; or
· when there is reason to believe that the parent will flee with the kid or in some way impede the investigation.
Parental Consent to Interview the Child 3-16-2009
Parental consent is non necessary to interview the child (Northward.J.S.A. 9:half-dozen-8.eighteen), merely it is necessary to make every endeavour to propose the parent of the intent to interview the child as shortly as possible through a phone call or personal interview, unless by doing then the kid volition exist placed at risk. The Worker conspicuously informs the parent that a report was received by CP&P (i.e., screened by SCR and assigned to the CP&P Local Office), and explains the allegations and the steps that will exist taken to conduct the investigation.
When a parent refuses to allow the interview, the Division may accept action under N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.27, 28, 29 or N.J.Due south.A. 30:4C-12.
Whenever the Worker has been unable to secure the permission of, or otherwise notify the parent prior to interviewing the child, the Worker shall notify him or her equally soon as possible, after interviewing or observing the child or his or her sibling, that the kid has been interviewed or observed.
When an investigation concerns a resource family unit home, a facility, or some other out-of-home intendance setting (i.east., an "institution,") and the child victim is receiving services through CP&P, SCR makes the "Primary Consignment" to the IAIU Regional Function and makes a "Secondary Assignment" to the assigned Worker in NJ SPIRIT.
For resource family home investigations, the assigned CP&P Worker, who has an established working human relationship with the parent(s) and the kid victim(s), advises the parent(s) of the allegation, especially if the child is injured or in distress.
For other IAIU investigations, the facility Administrator notifies the parent of the incident. In addition, the IAIU Investigator must contact the parent early in the investigation procedure, to provide data to the parent about the allegation, the investigation process and applicable law, and to obtain collateral data most the child.
When an investigation is conducted in an institution, and IAIU interviews kid witnesses as role of its investigation, the IAIU Investigator shall not exist obligated to notify their parents. Even so, if the person or institution caring for the kid objects to a kid witness being interviewed by an IAIU Investigator, or fears repercussion from the parent, the Investigator explains the legal mandate of IAIU to conduct the investigation and the immunity afforded to persons making a study of kid abuse or neglect or giving testimony. The IAIU Investigator makes a reasonable try to accommodate requests to notify a parent before the kid witness is interviewed. If admission to the child witness is refused, the IAIU Investigator immediately consults the DAG through the Litigation Specialist and supervisory channels, to determine whether to seek courtroom relief or take other action.
New Jersey Administrative Code, N.J.A.C. 6A:xvi-11.i, adopted past the Land Board of Education, requires that district boards of education adopt and implement policies and procedures for reporting kid abuse to SCR and cooperating with CP&P and IAIU in investigations of child corruption/neglect. Children may non exist removed from school without a court social club, unless it is necessary to protect the child or take the child to a service provider. See CP&P-II-C-five-500 , CP&P Response to School Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Direct Contact with the Parent/Caregiver and Perpetrator 2-half dozen-2012
Before interviewing main persons -- the parents/caregivers, alleged perpetrators, children, straight witnesses -- the worker politely asks the parent to suit for privacy so that each primary person tin can be interviewed individually, out of the hearing of other persons. Asking to speak with primary persons privately non only helps to guard the integrity of the investigation, it also demonstrates the worker's respect for the client family.
Throughout the course of a child abuse/neglect investigation, the worker makes appropriate efforts to explain important investigative outcomes to the child'south parent(s) and to the alleged perpetrator.
"The child protective investigator shall notify the parent of the child subject of the investigation and the caregiver of the child subject of the investigation, if the child will remain in the custody of the caregiver, every bit soon every bit possible after interviewing or observing the kid or any of his or her siblings that the child(ren) has been interviewed or observed." (North.J.A.C. 3A:10-7.1(a))
"The child protective investigator shall delay notifying the person specified in (a) and (c) (encounter N.J.A.C. 3A:ten-7.1) above, every bit long equally the delay does not appear to put the alleged child victim at risk, when the police, prosecutor or Deputy Chaser General has determined that notifying them would impede the investigation or litigation." (N.J.A.C. 3A:10-7.1(e)).
When domestic violence co-occurs with kid abuse or fail, meet CP&P-Viii-B-i-100, Domestic Violence, for policies and procedures regarding interviewing the not-offending parent/caregiver and the batterer.
Interviewing the Parent/Caregiver ii-6-2012
Interviewing the kid's parent/immediate caregiver (i.e., the person who has physical custody of the child, generally one or both parents, a legal guardian, legal custodian, relative caregiver, etc.) is required in a CPS abuse/neglect investigation whether or non he or she is the declared or suspected perpetrator. The Worker identifies himself as a representative of CP&P and explains his reason for contacting the parent. He explains to the parent that CP&P has received a referral, indicates what allegations have been made, but does not inform the parent of the identity of the referral source. The Worker asks the parent about his perception of the incident or what the state of affairs is in relation to the allegation or any appreciable harm to the kid.
The Worker explains in private to the parents or caregivers, including the alleged perpetrator, that an allegation has been made that must past police force be investigated. He or she gives the parents/caregivers an overview of what will happen during the initial investigation phase -- who will demand to exist interviewed, etc. -- and asks for the parents' cooperation. The Worker is as responsive equally possible to the parents' concerns, anger, fear, or confusion -- while remaining mindful that the safety and well-being of the children is the Division's primary business organisation.
During an abuse/neglect investigation, the Worker shares but the information with the parent/caregiver which is essential to determining whether abuse or neglect occurred and to the treatment and protection of the kid and/or parent.
This includes advising the parent/caregiver of the allegations, the investigative procedures and findings, and information necessary to develop and implement a instance plan with the client. Meet CP&P-II-C-2-200 and CP&P-Iii-C-seven-100.
When the parent/caregiver refuses to cooperate with the investigation, he is advised that CP&P may seek the aid of the court in order to secure the parent'due south cooperation. If the Division initiates courtroom action, parents receive written textile per guidelines in CP&P-Nine-L-one-500 , Protective Services Litigation Transmission.
"The child protective investigator shall make every reasonable effort to notify the child's parent, caregiver, temporary caregiver, and institutional caregiver responsible for the child at the time of the removal, when an emergency removal is made pursuant to N.J.Due south.A. 9:6-viii.29 (i.e., a Dodd removal)." (N.J.A.C. 3A:10-6.3(a))
Injury or Take chances to a Kid past Others 2-24-97
When persons who exercise not have a caretaking human relationship to the child either harm or cause pregnant take a chance of harm to a child, that incident must be reported to the police. The Worker advises the parent/caregiver to written report the incident and provides assistance when the parent is unable or unwilling to do so.
The Worker:
• explains that it is the parent's responsibility to protect the child,
• elicits from the parent what he will do to prevent a recurrence, and
• makes specific suggestions regarding the child's protection, if necessary.
The Worker reports the incident to the police when a parent refuses or shows reluctance to brand the report. Failure to react appropriately may propose that the parent may have been instrumental to the occurrence of the harm or take a chance of harm, may be protecting the declared perpetrator or may be fearful of retaliation, may be incapable of making the report, or may be traumatized equally a result of the incident. The Worker makes an assessment of the parent's ability and desire to protect the child. He advises the parent that the incident will be reported to the police force and does whatsoever is necessary to ensure the safety of the child.
The Worker assesses any failure by the parent to preclude the harm or to protect the kid and considers whether the parent's action or inaction constitutes child abuse or neglect.
Interviewing Other Household/Family Members and Others 2-24-97
The Worker may find a chaotic state of affairs when he arrives. In many situations, particularly ones involving substance use, family unit boundaries have broken downward and unidentified people come and go at will. This is a run a risk indicator in and of itself. The response worker identifies all the persons present in the dwelling house at the fourth dimension of the investigation. The worker asks the people who are nowadays their names and their relationship to the family. Either the Worker or the buddy records this information.
The worker interviews other children and adults in the home -- specially those believed to have been present when the injuries occurred -- about how the victim got his or her injuries. The worker interviews separately and in private, the siblings of the victim, the kid'due south parents or caregivers, including whatsoever paramour living in or frequenting the domicile, other persons living in the home, and any other witnesses who may or may non exist regular members of the household.
The Worker has a face-to-face contact with each private residing in the household including children, paramours and other adults residing with the family, and whatever grown siblings as well in club to:
· advise all family members that CP&P was contacted to investigate a referral of kid corruption/fail and explain why, introduce CP&P to the children, explicate its function and purpose, and make the bureau intervention relevant to each family member.
· assess the impairment or risk of harm to siblings or other children in the home or in the care of the alleged perpetrator;
· determine whether abuse or fail occurred;
· dominion out risk to each child (the kid identified as injured or abused may not be the most vulnerable kid in the family unit);
· carry a complete investigation and determine what happened. Each child may have differing details to provide concerning the incident in question. 1 child may readily, openly talk to the Worker while another may hide information or lie to protect the parent;
· observe and appraise the family, as individuals and every bit a unit of measurement, e.g., how members office independently, how children interrelate with parents, how siblings relate to each other, where alliances lie, differing roles played by family members;
· assess service need and to provide outreach and services to each family unit member who needs them.
If in that location is concern that interviewing a particular member of the household will be detrimental, harmful, will in some way jeopardize the investigation, or is unnecessary, the Worker and Supervisor should hold a briefing to discuss the issues. A conclusion not to interview the member must exist documented, and must include the supporting information upon which the decision was based. The documentation may be entered on the Contact Sheet, CP&P Form 26-52, and/or the Investigation Summary.
Interviewing Siblings and Other Children two-24-97
If siblings or other children in the domicile of the subject area child have not been seen during the initial field response and the elements of risk are limited, the Worker may consider planning with the parent/caregiver equally to when and where the worker and other children should meet. Past engaging the parents and showing them respect by obtaining their input and cooperation in a planned contact (equally opposed to making a surprise dwelling visit or seeing the child unnecessarily or intrusively in school) the seeds of a potential trusting, professional relationship are planted. It is far easier to meet a child and plant a positive relationship with that child with the cooperation, help and pattern of his parents than to brand gamble visits in the bullheaded promise of finding him domicile and available.
If, withal, the Worker has concerns for the safety and care of these siblings and has reason to believe that they, too, may be at risk, then at to the lowest degree part of the interview with these children should be conducted alone or separately from the parents.
Exceptions to Seeing all Siblings 4-4-2005
Under certain circumstances, it may not exist possible or practical for the Child Protective Investigator to come across all children in a family.
Investigations can exist concluded within 60 calendar days of SCR assigning the CPS study to a field office for response without CP&P seeing all children in the following types of situations:
· Kid Non Dwelling at Time of Reported Incident: A kid, who was not the subject field of the allegation, was abroad from habitation for a menstruum of fourth dimension when the declared incident was said to have occurred (kid was at residential camp, on vacation, in the hospital for non-CPS reasons) and the kid is still unavailable. The allegation is unfounded at the initial investigation (run across CP&P-Two-C-v-100), and the children in the abode are found to be safety. If waiting to see the child would hold upwardly case processing, and serve no truthful purpose other than a formality, the sibling does not have to be seen. If a service case is to be opened, the sibling would be seen upon his render home, to be included in the family assessment and instance planning.
· Corruption Report - Injuries Due to Medical Status: An abuse written report is received and the child who is the subject of the accusation is seen. During consultation with the pediatrician information technology is learned that astringent bruising on this kid is due to a medical condition (e.m., leukemia). He says parents are caring and appropriate with this child and the others. Kid's condition is a cause of stress to the family. CP&P offers child welfare services to the family unit, but the family unit refuses them. Further CP&P intervention is intrusive and unwarranted.
All children and household/family members are seen as soon every bit possible. If cardinal individuals cannot be located/contacted, proceed in accordance with CP&P-II-C-5-125 , (Proficient Organized religion Endeavour) Follow-Up, Until Resolution.
Interviewing Other Witnesses and Information Sources 12-22-2003
An investigation may begin in an emergency room or other hospital setting, where several doctors and nurses with different specialties may take examined the child. The Worker must interview each of the doctors who directly treated or examined the child. It is particularly of import to interview the physician who requested or ordered the referral to CP&P. A common problem is that the doctor who ordered the referral (or another md who treated the child) has gone off-shift past the time of the response. If this is the case, the response worker finds out when the doctor volition be available side by side and arranges to speak with him or her. If doctors disagree nigh whether abuse caused the injuries or about other significant aspects of the child's status, the worker and supervisor obtain medical consultation, whether or non a referral to a CP&P medical consultant -- CP&P Local Role Child Wellness Unit Nurse, Regional Nurse Ambassador, or consultant pediatrician -- was already made during screening.
Equally the worker proceeds with initial interviews, he or she makes note of the information that needs to be corroborated and verified in lodge for the worker and supervisor to brand an informed decision, and the collateral sources that can be used to do and so. Some of the collateral sources of data that may be primal include:
· Law checks for parents, caregivers, paramours, and other adults living in or regularly frequenting the home, if not already done at screening, including baby-sitters arranged past the parents. Police checks are mandatory when the presenting state of affairs involves family violence or known or suspected chronic substance apply;
· The canton welfare bureau;
· Pediatricians, clinic staff, emergency room staff, and other physicians who are treating the child before long or who have treated the child in the past;
· Drug and booze handling facilities with which parents or other adults in the home say they take been involved;
· School and/or kid care personnel who have frequent or regular contact with the child;
· Extended family members living exterior of the home who care for the child or who have frequent contact with the family unit;
· Neighbors who may have witnessed this or previous incidents; patterns in the household; interactions between the parent and the child over time; interactions betwixt the parents and/or between a parent and a paramour or other adult(s); interactions between children/siblings; methods used by the parent or others to discipline the child; and/or unusual practices, appearances or behaviors exhibited by the parent(s), child or family;
· Whatever other information source that tin can ostend or deny important pieces of data provided by primary persons.
The assigned response/intake worker requests information (through personal contact, by telephone or letter, equally appropriate) from relevant secondary informants (doctors, schoolhouse personnel, neighbors, extended family members, etc.) and takes the necessary follow-up steps to obtain the needed data. (The Worker'south objective is to elicit relevant information without disclosing more client information than is admittedly essential.)
Inspecting the Child for Signs of Physical Abuse 2-6-2012
If concrete abuse with injuries has been alleged, or if the Worker has reason to believe that the child has injuries that were not mentioned in the original accusation, the Worker conducts a visual inspection of the kid subject of the investigation and each kid living in the home who may take been physically abused. The Worker observes for marks, lacerations, abrasions, welts, burns, and bruises.
"The child protective investigator may remove, motion or cause to be removed or moved only that clothing necessary to view suspected injuries, when conducting the investigation. This shall be done in a mode consistent with the alleged child victim'due south sense of privacy and in consideration of the age, sex and emotional country of the declared child victim and the demand to limit the number of physical examinations the alleged child victim undergoes. This shall be done only in the presence of an adult supportive of the declared child victim, except in emergency situations." (N.J.A.C. 3A:10-3.3(b)) See below.
If possible, the response worker obtains the parent's and the children's understanding in inspecting the child for signs of concrete injury. If the parent refuses to allow the child to be inspected for injury, the worker may remove the child on an emergency basis. If an emergency removal pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.29 is not appropriate and the parent prevents a visual inspection of the kid, the worker, in consultation with the Supervisor, litigation specialist and the DAG, may seek immediate relief from the court to proceed. Parental consent and cooperation in inspecting a child for injury are preferable, but not required. The worker demand non obtain parental consent if the parent is non present or if the child is in a setting other than the home at the time of first contact, for instance, the kid is at school and can be examined by the school nurse.
Whether the child's clothing is removed or not, the worker's visual inspection for marks is not a medical examination and it does non lead to a medical diagnosis. It is not a final medical conclusion of how whatsoever marks that are constitute were made. It is the part of an examining nurse practitioner or a doctor to diagnose the child and to determine medically how whatever injuries to the child might have been caused.
Whatever child who acts injured or complains of pain should be examined promptly by a doctor or nurse practitioner, since serious, even fatal internal injuries may be present even when there are no marks.
The worker may not audit whatever child's body for signs of sexual corruption. The child is brought to a medical practitioner for that purpose. The worker may not touch the genitals of any child regardless of the kid'southward age. If sexual abuse is suspected for any reason, if the child upon visual inspection for signs of physical abuse shows any signs of injury to the genitals or infection of the genitals, the worker shall arrange for the child to be examined immediately by a nurse practitioner or a doctor. Run into CP&P-Two-C-5-700 - Sexual abuse indicators.
Undressing a Child 2-24-97
If the child needs to exist treated or examined by a wellness professional person because of obvious injuries or health circumstances, or if the worker knows that the child will exist examined past a health professional person later in the aforementioned day, the worker should leave visual inspection of the kid to the health professional who will examine the child. This is done to avert repetitive inspections of the kid's body.
Undressing the child must be washed in a way which is sensitive to the child's feelings and which elicits the to the lowest degree resistance from the child. Moving or removing the child'due south wear should exist done in a manner consequent with the child'southward sense of privacy, and in consideration of the child's age, sexual activity, and emotional state.
The Worker should explain to the child what is happening and why, and ask the child'southward cooperation. The worker explains to the child that he or she is looking to see that the kid is okay, and to see if he or she has any marks that a doctor might need to see. The worker answers any questions the child may take equally direct and every bit reassuringly as possible.
When the child may be upset by undressing in front of a Worker of the opposite sex, e.chiliad., due to the kid's historic period, the child should be examined past a health professional person.
Since removing clothing is inherently invasive of the child's privacy, it is essential that the worker be as reassuring to each child as possible and as respectful as possible of the kid's actual privacy, his or her age, his or her gender, and his or her emotional state. Undressing does not mean complete nudity. An article of vesture may exist removed or shifted to permit visual inspection. Returning each detail of clothing to its normal position before proceeding to the side by side is recommended.
Except in emergency circumstances, the worker should only remove a kid'due south article of clothing in the presence of some other adult who is supportive of the child and whom the child trusts. If that person is not of the same sex as the child, another adult who is the same sexual activity every bit the child should also exist nowadays.
If a parent is present, the worker should ask the parent to remove the clothing from covered parts of the body.
If the parent is not nowadays, the worker may inquire an older sibling or another person whom the child trusts to move or remove clothing as necessary to inspect the child.
If the parent or an older sibling or someone the child trusts is not present, except as in Exceptions beneath, the worker may inquire the child to remove the clothing himself or herself.
As a last resort, except as specified below, the worker himself/herself may remove clothing in club to inspect a kid for injuries. Whenever possible, the Worker undressing the child should be the same sex every bit the kid.
Exceptions 2-24-97
· The worker may not undress pre-boyish or boyish children who are capable of removing their ain clothing. "Pre-adolescent" ways a child who is or appears to be on the verge of puberty, roughly the ages of 10-12.
· Nether no circumstances may a worker undress or take someone else undress a child of the opposite sex who is adolescent or pre-boyish. The worker may non ask a pre-boyish or adolescent child of the opposite sex activity to undress himself or herself.
If the worker decides for good reason that information technology is unnecessary to conduct a visual inspection of all children in the domicile, the worker must document the reason for that decision clearly in a Contact Activity Note or the Investigation Summary, DCF Course two-one, in NJS. In addition, the worker reports and explains the decision to his or her supervisor at the primeval possible opportunity.
Photographs 2-vi-2012
"The child protective investigator may photograph or arrange to photograph the alleged child victim'due south injury or harm, whenever there are visible indications of injury or harm, and subsequently to record the results of the injury or impairment, when conducting the investigation." (North.J.A.C. 3A:10-3.3(c))
The worker may photograph the child'south injuries, or arrange for photographs to be taken, in gild to document the severity of damage. Similarly, the worker may also photograph a child to document visible effects of severe neglect. Photos practise not need to exist taken in every case. However, information technology is important to certificate with photographs cases of very astringent and/or multiple injuries inflicted on a kid or marks and bruises that are likely to fade. No matter whether photographs are taken, the worker describes the injuries advisedly in the Investigation Summary, DCF Form two-one, in NJS:
· their location;
· their size;
· their shape;
· their coloration;
· their apparent tenderness;
· their age or the appointment they were believed to take been inflicted (per the results of medical examination conducted by a nurse practitioner or physician); and
· child'southward description of any pain or other symptoms.
Information technology is of import to recall that the size and characteristics of whatever marking is less important than the level of danger or risk associated with the activity that caused it.
Whether the worker or another person photographs the kid, the worker comforts and reassures the child, and explains to him or her in simple terms why the photographs need to exist taken. The worker tries to aid the child with his or her anxiety and tries to remove any stigma that the kid may feel throughout the grade of the investigation. It may exist about practical and effective to photograph the child during the course of an proficient medical examination. If photographs can be taken in a rubber setting exterior of the child's home, a confrontation with the kid's parents may exist avoided, and it may also exist less traumatic to the child.
Photographs may also be taken of the home to certificate serious health or safety hazards or to document the site where, e.chiliad., a child allegedly injured himself accidently.
The Worker may take the photographs or asking the assistance of the police, prosecutor, county sheriff's department, or hospital ambassador (N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.11). The photographs should be in colour whenever possible. Photographs may be taken outside the home without the consent of the parent. They may be taken inside the dwelling house unless the parent objects. If the parent interferes with the taking of the photographs, consult the DAG to determine if court action is necessary.
Each photograph should exist marked with the name of the kid/family; child's date of nativity or age; the date, time and place it was taken; names of others present when the photograph was taken; proper name of person who took photograph.
What Happens When Social Service Interviews Parents And Child,
Source: https://www.nj.gov/dcf/policy_manuals/CPP-II-C-5-1000_issuance.shtml
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