Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

What should be prioritized in the safety assessment during a child protection investigation?

1. The potential for re-offending

2. The family's financial situation

3. The immediate risk to the child

4. The availability of services in the area

The correct answer is: The immediate risk to the child

In a child protection investigation, the primary focus of the safety assessment should be on the immediate risk to the child. This is crucial because the primary objective of child protection is to ensure the child's safety and well-being. Assessing immediate risks involves evaluating the current environment, the behavior of caregivers, and any ongoing threats to the child's safety. Even if a family lags in other aspects such as finances or service availability, the foremost concern must be whether the child is safe from harm right now. Prioritizing immediate risk allows professionals to make timely and effective decisions, which may include interventions such as removing the child from a harmful situation or providing necessary services to address imminent dangers without delay. Assessing other factors, such as family finances or service availability, can be important, but they do not take precedence over the child's immediate safety. The situation can change rapidly, and any delay in responding to immediate risks could have severe consequences for the child.