Child Safety FrameworkChild Safety Framework Central to our core mission

Child Safety FrameworkChild Safety Framework Informs and guides child safety decisions throughout the life of a case. Provides precise language and clear definitions. Strengthens child safety assessments and planning. Guides appropriate placement decisions.

The likelihood (chance, potential, prospect) for parenting behavior that is harmful and destructive to a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and/or physical development and those with parenting responsibility are unwilling or unable to behave differently.

Safe Child Children are considered safe when there are no present danger or impending danger threats or the caregiver’s protective capacities control all known safety threats. Definition:

Unsafe Child Children are considered unsafe when they are vulnerable to present or impending danger and caregivers are unable or unwilling to provide protection. Definition:

Present danger is immediate, significant and clearly observable severe harm or threat of severe harm occurring in the present. Definition: Present Danger

Impending Impending Danger Parenting behavior that is harmful and destructive to a child’s cognitive, social, emotional or physical development that is likely to occur in the immediate or near future that could result in one or more of the following outcomes: Serious or severe harm Injury requiring medical attention Life endangering illness Death Definition:

CapacitiesProtective Capacities Behavioral, cognitive and emotional characteristics that can specifically and directly be associated with a person’s ability and willingness to care and keep a child safe. Definition:

Risk is concerned with…Safety is concerned with… Whether a family is more or less likely to have another incident of abuse or neglect without agency intervention Current dangerous family conditions and behaviors The assessment of future maltreatment on a continuum from low to very high Severe forms of maltreatment only and the certainty of the severe effects on the child Characteristics of family functioningFamily conditions that meet the safety threshold Current and historical information, patterns, and behaviors Specific threats to a child’s safety now or in the near-future Family conditions and behaviors that impair parenting capacity Family conditions and behaviors that are currently out-of-control Evaluation of conditions and behaviors that may need services and treatment Conditions and behaviors that require control and management A limited number of validated characteristics that are related to the likelihood of future abuse or neglect A limited number of specific factors threatening child safety

Parent parks her car in front of the pharmacy and leaves her 2-year- old and 6-month-old in the car in their car seats while she gets prescriptions filled for the children. She watches them from the front door of the pharmacy while she waits for her prescription. Safety Threat Risk or Safety Threat?

Dad is depressed. He is reluctant about taking his medication because it makes him feel “out of it”. He can’t stand his job; doesn’t see how things will be different; has little energy to spend time with the children. Dad is inconsistent in providing some meals but the children are generally fed. Children go to school dirty and tired because the Dad is inconsistent about cleaning their clothes and getting them to bed. Safety Threat Risk or Safety Threat?

Parent is picked up by police for drunk driving and has children in the car. Safety Threat Risk or Safety Threat?

Threats to Child Safety are very different than Risk of Maltreatment Having a real and practical understanding of the differences will have a profound effect on the safety decisions you make daily.

CA is responsible for the safety of children and this responsibility cannot be delegated to others. Protective actions, safety planning and continuous safety management are the strategies used by CA to keep children safe. Responsibility for SafetyResponsibility for Safety

Family, friends, relatives, and other child welfare partners are included in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the plan. Analysis to determine the type of safety plan implemented includes assessing the suitability and reliability of potential plan participants. Responsibility for SafetyResponsibility for Safety

Immediate and significant Clearly observable Occurring in the present Child MUST be protected from the present danger Child may or may not need ongoing protection – Assess for Impending Danger Present Danger

Mother of twins has post partum depression which is untreated. She sleeps most of the day while her husband is at work. She has not shared her feelings with her husband because he just thinks she is lazy. Example of Present Danger

The father of three small children is high, incoherent and physically disoriented when you show up for the initial contact. Example of Present Danger

A child is seriously injured and the injuries are assessed to be the result of physical abuse.

Example of Present Danger A three-year-old child in relative care is found wandering on a busy street and the relative’s whereabouts are unknown.

Example of Present Danger A dependent six-year-old is last seen by a teacher four days ago. The child was last observed with a black eye and bruise on the neck. The relatives are not responding to calls from the social worker and refused to allow the social worker to see the child when the social worker visited the home.

Example of Present Danger A 15-year-old tells her friend that her mom’s boyfriend has been touching and grabbing at her breasts and that she is afraid of him. The mom has been working swing shift. The boyfriend comes over when her mom is working and leaves before she comes home. He told her that he loves her, not her mom. She told her mom that he had been grabbing at her chest and her mom told her that she was a whore and was probably leading him on.

Example of Present Danger A 14-year-old boy in special education classes comes to school with redness and bruising on his jaw and cheek. He tells the teacher that his father hit him last night. He says that his father hits him a lot and has been telling the boy that he likes to fight him. The boy says that usually he doesn’t mind but this time his dad hit him all over his head “really hard” and that he doesn’t want to go home.

Can occur at anytime throughout the life of a case Happening right now Must be addressed on a continual basis – never stop assessing present danger during the case When identified protective action(s) must be taken immediately to protect the child’s safety Document your protective action intervention in the Case Notes drop down for protective actions Follow up with Safety Assessment to determine if child is in Impending Danger Present Danger Summary

Supporting Best Practice Moving Away from Incident Based Practice Information Based Safety Assessment

Gathering Information Gathering Information to determine if Impending Danger Exists 1.What is the nature and extent of maltreatment? 2.What surrounding circumstances accompany the maltreatment? 3.How does the child/children function on a daily basis? 4.How does the parent/caregiver discipline the child? 5.What are the overall parenting and child care practices? 6.How does the parent/caregiver manage his/her own life on a daily basis?

6 Gathering Questions6 Gathering Questions This will be documented in FamLink: Safety Assessment Family Assessment Assessment of Progress

Weigh all gathered information Assign significance to the information Determine if safety threats exists Assessing

Impending Impending Danger Parenting behavior that is harmful and destructive to a child’s cognitive, social, emotional or physical development that is likely to occur in the immediate or near future that could result in one or more of the following outcomes: Serious or severe harm Injury requiring medical attention Life endangering illness Death Definition:

Threats to a child’s safety that are not immediate, obvious, or occurring at onset of CPS intervention Threats are identified and understood through individual and family relationships and functioning Without safety intervention one could reasonably judge potential for severe harm Impending Impending Danger

1.The family/facility situation results in no adults in the home/facility performing parenting duties and responsibilities that assure child’s safety. 2.The family/facility situation is that the living/child care arrangement(s) seriously endanger the child’s physical health. 3.Caregiver(s) are acting (behaving) violently or dangerously and the behaviors affect child safety. Washington Safety ThreatsWashington Safety Threats

4.There has been an incident of domestic violence that affects child safety. If “Yes”, complete the questions below: The domestic violence perpetrator has caused serious harm or threats of harm against the adult victim/caregiver of the child. The domestic violence perpetrator has seriously harmed or threatened serious harm to the child. The level of violence and/or threats towards either the adult victim or child is increasing so that serious harm is likely to occur. There are other indications of increased dangers from the domestic violence perpetrator such as suicide threats or attempts, substance abuse or threats with weapons. Washington Safety ThreatsWashington Safety Threats

5.Caregiver(s) will not or cannot control their behavior and their behavior affects child safety. 6.Caregiver(s) perceives child in extremely negative terms 7.Caregiver(s) do not have or do not use resources necessary to meet the child’s immediate basic needs which present an immediate threat of serious harm to a child. 8.Caregivers’ attitudes, emotions and behavior are such that they are threatening to severely harm a child or are fearful they will maltreat the child or request placement. Washington Safety ThreatsWashington Safety Threats

9.Caregiver(s) intend(ed) to seriously hurt the child. 10.Caregiver(s) lack the parenting knowledge, skills, or motivation necessary to assure a child’s safety. 11.Caregiver(s) overtly rejects CA intervention, refuses access to a child, or there is some indication that the caregiver(s) will flee. 12.Caregiver(s) are not meeting, cannot meet or will not meet the child’s exceptional physical, emotional, medical, or behavioral needs. Washington Safety ThreatsWashington Safety Threats

13.Caregiver(s) cannot or will not explain child’s injuries or maltreating condition(s) or explanation is not consistent with the facts. 14.A child has serious physical injuries or serious physical conditions resulting from maltreatment. Washington Safety ThreatsWashington Safety Threats

15.A child demonstrates serious emotional symptoms, self- destructive behavior and/or lack of behavioral control that results in provoking dangerous reactions in caregivers. 16. A child is extremely fearful of the home/facility situation or people within the home/facility. 17.Child sexual abuse is suspected, has occurred, or circumstances suggest sexual abuse is likely to occur. Washington Safety ThreatsWashington Safety Threats

Safety Threshold In order to determine if a safety threat exists ALL of the 5 criteria must be met: 1.Severe consequences to a child 2.Immediate or will occur in the near future 3.Vulnerable child in relation to the safety threat 4.Out of control 5.Behaviors, conditions, etc., are specific, observable and clearly understood

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Impending Danger Present Danger Gather 6 Gathering Questions Assess 17 Safety Threats 5 Safety Threshold Criteria Analyze 4 Safety Plan Questions Plan Safety Plan