Is there a difference between confirmed and founded on a DHS report?

Question

I work in an office where we see a lot of DHS reports come through. Sometimes there is confirmed, other times it is founded (and non-founded). What is the difference in the two?

Answer 1

Founded means that there were legitimate grounds for the accusation that was made. Confirmed means that the accusation was true.

For example.... someone phones and says that the kids next door aren't properly cared for because they are outside and are filthy.

DHS turns up and finds the kids and the home are clean and in good condition. The accusation is "unfounded".

DHS turns up and finds the home to be clean and in good condition, but the kids are outside filthy - because they are helping their dad dig the foundations for a playset. There's no neglect, but the neighbor had a valid reason to suspect it, so the accusation is "founded".

DHS turns up and finds the home and kids filthy, and Mom passed out drunk with a bottle of gin. The accusation is confirmed.

Richard

Answer 2

What do you mean by DHS?  Department of Homeland Security?

Or do you mean DWP? In which case, it looks like someone has raised an allegation which has been looked into and found either to be correct or unfounded.  If it is DWP, you shouldn't be talking about it.