NCJ Number
96558
Date Published
1983
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Designed to help South Dakota protective services workers, this manual outlines the different forms of child abuse and examines the investigation of abuse/neglect incidents involving children placed in such out-of-home facilities as foster homes and State hospitals.
Abstract
Factors within a facility that may contribute to child abuse and neglect are explored, including (1) child care staff having little knowledge of child management techniques and (2) Failure to adequately monitor interactions between staff and residents. Indicators of physical and emotional child abuse are described (beatings, sexual abuse, inappropriate use of isolation), and the neglect of children in out-of-home care is considered. The general procedures used in investigating out-of-home abuse/neglect are delineated. The general steps include gathering information from the individual who made the report, the child care staff, the child, the child's parents, and collateral community resources; obtaining medical, psychiatric, and/or psychological assessments of the child; and determining if the child is in immediate danger. The manual notes that all out-of-home care investigations involve more than one investigator and may include the State's attorney, law enforcement officers, and State agency staff members. Differences involved in group care/institution investigations and foster home investigations are identified. Finally, attention focuses on the written report that must be compiled by team members after completion of the investigation. Eight references are listed.