Factors To Be Considered By The Caseworker:
Participants were asked what factors they thought should be considered when the caseworker makes a recommendation either that a child should stay in the home or be removed. First, they hoped they could assume that there are guidelines that cover that type of decision.
· I assume caseworkers must have some type of training about the questions to ask.
Beyond that, though, participants did express their opinions about the factors that should be considered:
· The potential for the parents to resolve the problem themselves
· The severity of the problem
· The family’s history and past substantiation of abuse
· The living conditions of the home on a surprise visit
· What the child reports or says
· The quality of interactions between the parent and child
· The age of the child
· Whether the family has sought help
· The effect on the child of being jerked in and out and in and out of the home