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Systematic approaches to assessment in child protection investigations: a literature review
- Authors:
- VIS Svein Arild, LAURITZEN Camilla, FOSSUM Sturla
- Journal article citation:
- International Social Work, 64(3), 2021, pp.325-340.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The primary aim of this study is to summarise research findings about the use of assessment frameworks, that is, structured models that guide information collection and decision making in child protection services, by reviewing the literature. The research review method consisted of identification, selection, coding, categorisation and summary of publications on child protection investigative work. The results indicated that there is some documentation showing that the use of frameworks leads to more information being gathered, a greater focus on the needs of the child and increased involvement of the child during the investigation. One side effect is that the investigative work becomes more extensive and time-consuming. (Edited publisher abstract)
Parents' experiences of child protection practice in Denmark
- Author:
- PETERSEN Stina Krogh
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 23(4), 2018, pp.609-616.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Not much research focuses on how parents perceive and experience child protection practice although the voices of service users are important in the development of social work within Child Welfare Services. This article contributes to a growing body of research that takes the user perspective as its point of departure when conducting research in social work. Drawing on a qualitative study, this article explores how 17 parents have experienced assessment processes in Denmark. Several studies indicate that parents who by themselves initiate child protection assessment have a greater chance of achieving positive experiences of assessment processes. As the large majority of the parents in this study by themselves initiated the assessment, it seems paradoxical that most of the parents report solely negative experiences. The article discusses different entries into child protection assessments (referral or the parents' own initiative) and suggests that time (in the sense of progression in the assessment) is an important dimension to take into account particularly when it comes to parents who wish to engage in child protection assessments. (Publisher abstract)
Testing the reliability and validity of the Graded Care Profile version 2 (GCP2)
- Authors:
- JOHNSON Robyn, SMITH Emma, FISHER Helen
- Publisher:
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 35
- Place of publication:
- London
The Graded Care Profile (GCP) is designed to help practitioners spot when a child is at risk of neglect and get the right help to families earlier. Suggested improvements to the GCP were incorporated into a second version of the tool called GCP2. This report presents the findings of tests conducted between September 2014 and August 2015 and designed to assess the reliability and validity of GCP2. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by comparing GCP2 scores between pairs of practitioners. There was a substantial level of agreement for the domains of Physical Care and Developmental Care, and a moderate level of agreement for Care of Safety and Emotional Care. Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing GCP2 scores to scores obtained using two other validated measures. There were strong correlations between the GCP2 and the two other tools across all domains. Face validity was measured by seeking the views of professionals with regards to the extent to which the GCP measures what it intends to measure. The results suggest that the GCP has a fairly high level of face validity, with participants generally agreeing that the GCP achieves what it sets out to do. In conclusion, GCP2 has been found to be reliable and valid. It can be used in the knowledge that it has sound psychometric properties, and is a reliable and valid assessment tool in aiding practitioners in the assessment of child neglect. (Edited publisher abstract)
Developing and testing a framework for evaluating the quality of comprehensive family assessment in child welfare
- Authors:
- SMITHGALL Cheryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 44, 2015, pp.194-206.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Over the last decade, Comprehensive Family Assessment (CFA) has become a best practice in child welfare. Comprehensive Family Assessments go beyond risk assessment to develop a full picture of the child's and family's situation. When appropriately synthesized, assessment information can lead to a clear articulation of the patterns of child or family functioning which are related to child abuse and maltreatment or which can be strengthened to facilitate change. This study defines and provides concrete examples of dimensions of quality in child welfare assessment reports that are consistent with the CFA guidelines and best practices embraced by child welfare agencies, courts, and other key stakeholders. Leveraging a random assignment design, the study compares the quality of reports written by a caseworker alone versus those written by a caseworker paired with a licensed Integrated Assessment (IA) screener. Findings are discussed in the context of the dual professional model and factors contributing to the timely completion of high quality assessment reports. (Publisher abstract)
Is there a place for extended assessments in addressing child sexual abuse allegations? how sensitivity and specificity impact professional perspectives
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Javonda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 23(2), 2014, pp.179-197.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Using data from a survey of perceptions of 932 child welfare professionals about the utility of extended assessments, the researchers constructed a scale to measure respondents' views about sensitivity (ensuring sexually abused children are correctly identified) and specificity (ensuring nonabused children are correctly identified) in child sexual abuse evaluations. On average, respondents scored high (valuing sensitivity) on the sensitivity versus specificity scale. Next, the researchers undertook bivariate analyses to identify independent variables significantly associated with the sensitivity versus specificity scale. Then those variables were entered into a multiple regression. Four independent variables were significantly related to higher sensitivity scores: encountering cases requiring extended assessments, valuing extended assessments among scarce resources, less concern about proving cases in court, and viewing the goal of extended assessments as understanding needs of child and family (adjusted R2 = .34). (Publisher abstract)
Understanding professional decisions: invited comment on the impact of media reporting of high-profile cases on child protection medical assessments by Ray et al
- Author:
- AYRE Patrick
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse Review, 22(1), 2013, pp.20-24.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This invited commentary responses to the short report by Ray et al. (ibid, pp.20-24) on the impact of media reporting of high-profile cases on child protection medical assessments. Specifically, it considers the impact of the emotional or psychological environment in which assessments are undertaken and how that affects professional decision-making. Professionals sometimes do the wrong things even when they know in principle the right things to do. To improve practice, there is a need to study why they make mistakes just as much as what mistakes they make. This article suggests that the 3N approach, considering Nurture, Nature and Now, can be used to understand why professionals make the decisions they do. It argues that there is a need to pay less attention to Nurture (such as training and written procedures), and more to Now and the circumstances in which professionals find themselves in their daily working lives seeking to exercise their professional judgment.
Contested issues in the evaluation of child sexual abuse allegations: why consensus on best practice remains elusive
- Authors:
- FALLER Kathleen Coulborn, EVERSON Mark D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21(1), January 2012, pp.3-18.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Kuehnle and Connell's edited volume The Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: A Comprehensive Guide to Assessment and Testimony (2009) challenges, if not condemns, the validity of established forensic methodology. The book clearly places a greater emphasis on specificity (assuring that children are not mistakenly identified as sexual abuse victims) than sensitivity (assuring that sexual abuse victims are not missed). This paper is an introductory article to a special issue of the Journal of Childhood Sexual Abuse that responds to the challenges to current forensic evaluation practice found in this book. It describes the topics that are addressed in the journal issue, summarises the contents of the Kuehnle and Connell book, and provides a hypothetical case to illustrate potential problems in applying certain perspectives and guidelines offered in the book to actual forensic practice.
Social work practitioners' experience of the clinical utility of the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory
- Authors:
- GLAD Johan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 17(1), February 2012, pp.23-33.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study investigated social work practitioners' experiences of the clinical utility of a Swedish version of the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, in terms of usefulness, feasibility and potential barriers for employment in child protection investigations. Because knowledge of clinical utility in this area is scarce, a qualitative method based on semi-structured interviews was used to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected through 16 interviews and then analysed by qualitative manifest content analysis. The analysis yielded five categories: improves quality of child protection investigations; supports practitioners; HOME has drawbacks and difficulties; certain issues are important for future applications; and basic conditions are crucial. The findings supported the clinical utility of the HOME Inventory though some critical issues have to be addressed, especially concerning the category basic conditions are crucial. A thorough education, the possibility to practice activities related to the administration of the method and support from management were found to be essential. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Identification and assessment of children with developmental disabilities in child welfare
- Authors:
- SHANNON Patrick, TAPPAN Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 56(4), October 2011, pp.297-305.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study investigated the capability of a Child Protective Services (CPS) screening and investigation process to identify children with developmental disabilities. A total of 33 interviews were conducted with foster families, administrators, intake screeners, special investigators, and workers in one local CPS office in the north eastern state in the US. An allegation of maltreatment made to CPS sets a very confusing and complex chain of events in motion which involves the courts, law enforcement, medical providers, schools, families, and children. Participants in this study described the process as being even more challenging when the child had a developmental disability. Participants highlighted important concerns about the prevalence of developmental disabilities in CPS, understanding of what constitutes a developmental disability, the impact of developmental disability on screening and assessment, and perceived supports to improve the system’s ability to identify and assess the needs of children with developmental disabilities and their families. The authors concluded that improved screening was required in CPS settings.
Assessing child sexual abuse concerns among pre-school-aged children
- Authors:
- McCABE Blathnaid, GILMARTIN Daire
- Journal article citation:
- Irish Social Worker, Spring 2011, pp.32-40.
- Publisher:
- Irish Association of Social Workers
The specialist challenges and factors to be considered in talking to pre-school children (aged 3-5 years) when there have been concerns that they had been sexually abused are examined in this article. Child sexual abuse assessments are necessary in order to facilitate child protection social workers when making child protection decisions. The article outlines the role of the assessment service at the St Clare's Unit Child Sexual Abuse Assessment and Therapy Service in the Children's University Hospital, Dublin, and describes how assessments are conducted at the unit. It discusses particular challenges and special considerations when conducting child sexual abuse assessments with pre-school children. These include the importance of memory and what young children can remember, other factors that affect a child's narrative, pre-schoolers' use and understanding of language, questioning techniques, suggestibility, and building rapport.