Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

Who is contacted when a Youth in Care (foster child) is identified as a child victim or alleged perpetrator?

1. Teachers

2. Parents

3. Child's peers

4. Legal guardians

The correct answer is: Teachers

The correct answer is based on the importance of ensuring the well-being and safety of the child in question. When a Youth in Care is identified as a victim or alleged perpetrator, teachers are often contacted due to their unique position and involvement in the child’s life. Teachers have regular interactions with children, allowing them to observe behavioral changes and indicators of potential abuse or trauma that may not be evident to those outside the school environment. Additionally, they can provide valuable insights into the child’s functioning in a structured setting, which can be critical for assessing the child’s situation. Furthermore, teachers are mandated reporters, meaning they have a legal obligation to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. This legal framework ensures that educators play a crucial role in the safeguarding process, making them key contacts in these situations. The other options present different roles that may be relevant in various contexts, but they do not hold the same immediate responsibility or authority as teachers in scenarios involving child protection investigations. Parents and legal guardians may also be involved, but communication with them may take place after initial reporting or when assessing the situation further. Peers might not have the requisite knowledge or authority to report or act on such serious concerns and can sometimes be unreliable sources in child protection