What action is prohibited once abuse or neglect is suspected?

What action is prohibited once abuse or neglect is suspected?

• A. Filing a formal report.
• B. Conducting an investigation of any kind.
• C. Interviewing the child with CPS present.
• D. Providing resources to the child.

Answer: (B)

When abuse or neglect is suspected, your responsibility is to report the concern to the appropriate child protective services authorities and cooperate with the response, not to investigate it yourself. The action prohibited is conducting an investigation of any kind because investigations are handled by CPS (and sometimes law enforcement). You’re expected to document what you observed, share relevant safety concerns, and provide any information CPS needs, but you should not try to verify or determine what happened on your own. Resources and support can be offered to the child and family, and interviews with the child, if necessary, are typically conducted by CPS with proper safeguards. Filing the formal report is required, while providing appropriate resources is encouraged and appropriate.

When abuse or neglect is suspected, your responsibility is to report the concern to the appropriate child protective services authorities and cooperate with the response, not to investigate it yourself. The action prohibited is conducting an investigation of any kind because investigations are handled by CPS (and sometimes law enforcement). You’re expected to document what you observed, share relevant safety concerns, and provide any information CPS needs, but you should not try to verify or determine what happened on your own. Resources and support can be offered to the child and family, and interviews with the child, if necessary, are typically conducted by CPS with proper safeguards. Filing the formal report is required, while providing appropriate resources is encouraged and appropriate.