The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions on assessing child safety when determining if a child can be remain safely in their home. In order to ensure consistency across counties, the CDSS has provided information on safety assessments, safety plans, and risk assessments used during worker visits to the home.
During the initial investigation, caseworkers must determine whether or not the child can safely remain in the home or if immediate removal is necessary. Caseworkers must identify any potential safety threats prior to leaving, and report these threats using the Safety Assessment tool within two (2) days of the visit.
If a caseworker assesses that there is reason to know if the child is an Indian child, the caseworker must take into account the tribe’s social and cultural standards and way of life. In accordance with county procedures, caseworkers must also collaborate with the tribe, and may utilize other tribal or Indian community service agencies.
When child safety has been assessed and the child is allowed to remain in the home, caseworkers must work with caregivers to draft a safety plan. The safety plan, which allows the child(ren) to remain in their current placement, lists specific and immediate steps that can be taken to remedy potential hazards, as well as long-term objectives to ensure the child’s health and safety. Safety plans must also specify all of the involved and their roles and responsibilities. Caseworkers are expected to monitor these safety plans over time through consistent visits (both announced and unannounced), as well as ongoing collaboration with involved parties.
In cases involving substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms, the safety plan must satisfy all requirements established by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. This includes specific action steps to mitigate safety threats to both the child and the caregiver, which may involve referrals to external services.
Once a safety plan has been drafted, caseworkers must conduct a risk assessment to determine if the child is in danger of future mistreatment. The risk assessment must be completed within thirty (30) days of the initial visit, and may be used when deciding the status of referrals.
Before a case is closed, a caseworker must conduct a risk reassessment, which evaluates the progress of the safety plan. If the risk is reassessed as low, the caseworker must complete a case closing assessment before the case is closed. If the child has the goal to reunite with their original caregiver, the caseworker must assess whether the child should be returned to the caregivers, maintained in their current placement, or have a permanent placement established.
If a caseworker believes the problems to be too severe to remedy or that the child may be in severe or immediate danger, the case worker may instead draft a case plan, which expedites the removal and re-placement process. (ACL 17-107, February 6, 2018.)