Fields of Practice:

Child Welfare Services

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Laws: Child Abuse and Neglect

■ State civil laws describe

■Parameters for mandatory reporting
■Legal obligations to report
■Consequences for failing to report

■Parameters for determining custody

■ State criminal laws describe
■Circumstances for action in criminal courts
Types of Child Abuse and
Neglect
■Physical abuse
■Emotional abuse

■Child neglect (most common)

■Sexual abuse

■For information: National Clearinghouse

on Child Abuse and Neglect Information

Child Protective Services

■ Child protection vs. family preservation

■How can social workers support families and
provide safety nets for children?
■At what point should

■children be removed from their homes?

■families be reunited?

■parental rights be terminated?

■What is in the best interest of children?

Foster Family Care

■ Placement may be related to such

circumstances as
■Child endangerment
■Parental imprisonment

■Parental addiction or mental illness

■Emphasis on placing children with relatives –

formal kinship care
■Transition to independent living for teens in
foster care
Primary Prevention

■Support for new parents

■Ongoing parent education

■Family support services

■Community education