| - RISK DECISION # 3 - |
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| Page 716 =========== |
| === RISK ASSESSMENT MODEL === for Child Protection in Ontario |
| Is the child safe NOW ? : |
| - THE THEORY - |
| Standard ( 3 ) : |
| Eligibility for Service |
| COMMENTARY |
| Cont'd from Page 715 |
| Here are... the " Safety Asseessment Forms ", the worker may complete, during the process, of assessing safety: (click on the blue words in the white background, to view these forms, in detail ) |
| To Support... the Assessment process eleven (11) factors are listed on a Safety Assessment Form which describe behavior - and - conditions, frequently associated with a child, being in immediate danger of serious harm. The presence of these specific factors -and- any other information that may be known about a particular case provides a useful framework for reaching a safety decision. The three (3) criteria used in Risk Decision #2 (i.e.; immediacy, seriousness - and - protection) are also helpful. |
| The Safety Assessment... is an assessment of immediate safety issues. It reviews factors and assesses immediate safety, whether - or - not immediate actions are required, to ensure the safety of the child/ren, while the full "protection investigation" proceeds. The child/ren are then assessed, as either requiring - or - not requiring immediate, safety intervention. The child/ren are assessed, as requiring no immediate safety intervention -only if- the worker is satisfied, that no actions are required, to ensure the safety of the child at the time - or - immediately after their first face-to-face contact, with the child. |
| It's important... to be aware that the investigation will often be seen as a threat to parent/s -and- may place the child at further risk. This should be factored into the Immediate Safety Intevention Plan |
| Whenever... a referral, report, information is received that a child is or may be in need of protection any other children in the family are also likely to be in need of some form of protection. Unless there is no " reasonable or probable grounds to suspect ", they must be seen - and - their safety assessed. |
| In completing... the Safety Assessment, it is extremely important for the worker to recognize that there are many differences within our heterogeneous culture. The worker must strive to understand their own ethno-cultural orientation -and- values, as well as those, of the child/ren -and- family, they are assessing, to ensure an objective, fair assessment - and - a proper Immediate Safety Intervention Plan |
| The number... of interviews with the child/ren, should be kept to a minimum. Where possible, the interviewers should be the same throughout the investigation. The use of audiotapes and/or videotapes should be considered, in order to reduce the number of interviews - and - maintain a clear record, of key information. |
| Sensitivity... to individual needs, of a child is essential. Investigators should seek assistance, from knowledgeable persons, in order to understand and appreciate differences, due to cultural, or exceptional needs, of a child - or - a family. Knowledgeable persons can assist the investigators, in finding the most effective way, to communicate with the child, to assess the child's level, of understanding - and - ensure that he/she is comfortable. In addition to cultural interpreters such knowledgeable people may include intervenors, for hearing / visually impaired children - and - others, who work with exceptional children. |
| When appropriate... the child should be offered the choice, of whether or not, to have a support person present. The support person should remain with - and - give assistance, to the child, unless the child expresses the wish, to be interviewed, without a "support person". This support person may in the form of the "non-offending parent", or another responsible person, who is close to the child, such as a school principal, teacher - or - counsellor, etc. |
| If the... conclusion reached, is that a child's immediate safety is compromised, it's the CPS worker's responsibility to; identify, provide, facilitate -and- arrange for appropriate inteventions, that control those factors which jeopardize a child's safety. The actions taken are intended to address identified immediate safety factors -and- ensure the child's safety, while the full protection investigation, and risk assessment proceed - and - are completed. |
| Immediate... safety interventions are not expected to provide rehabilitation, change behaviours, or conditions. The interventions are specifically employed to protect the child and control the situation until more permanent change can take place. Listed below are some of the commonly used immediate safety interventions, although, depending on the particular case, others may be needed and deemed appropriate: crisis intervention casework, emergency shelter, legal/court, police intervention, emergency financial aid residential placement, homemaker, health related intervention - or - asisstance, family violence services -and- family / friend / volunteer assistance. |