What is the primary function of child protective services today?

Question

What is the primary function of child protective services today?

Answer 1

To remove children from unsafe and unstable environments.

Answer 2

Good question

I am not sure what country your in, but all child protection services and workers are mandated by law to report and act upon, any and all reports of abuse  they investigate.

Forms of abuse are;

Physical

Sexual

Emotional/psychological

Neglect

Drug & alcohol abuse (yes it does happen)

Verbal

Threats & intimidation

If a child dies while they are investigating or have investigated a report of abuse, there will be a investigation to ensure that all procedures were followed, and what if any services were used to support or assist the family.

I do think a lot more does need to be done, as it is very sad when a child has died, and the child protections services, have been involved, while doing an investigation.

Unfortunately the child protection services officers are ruthless, for obvious reasons. They will speak to the parents, within their home, so they can look around the house for signs of violence (holes in walls etc), the state of the house, and whether its clean and tidy, if kitchen cupboards/fridge etc have food in them, where the child sleeps etc. They will also speak to the child's doctor, school and child's teacher, and anyone else who may support or visit the family on a regular basis.

I know this having had child protection services, investigate me, over allegations of abuse towards my daughter. Thankfully they could not substantiate the claims, mind you my daughter was old enough to have a go at them, which helped. And I am now a qualified Youth and Disability support worker.

The last link does have a good break down, of the role of child protection services. The other link also has similar info, and including statistics etc, which is very interesting to read.

Answer 3

To harass innocent people and to ignore the real problems.

Answer 4

I often wonder this after seeing so many children in our area being abused and neglected I think now it is for juvenile crimes and school issues. I have only seen one case in the town where i live that they went in over neglect. Thats cuz the mother did not have anywhere for the girl to live.