CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

(Effective 12/30/21)

Chapter 5 Overview

This chapter explains the principles of assessing child safety and provides a framework for staff to utilize when making the decision of whether a child is safe or unsafe.

Table of Contents

5.1 Principles of Safety Assessment and Intervention

5.2 Safety versus Risk

5.3 Components of Assessing Safety

5.3.1 Threats to Child Safety

5.3.2 Child Vulnerability

5.3.3 Caregiver’s Protective Capacities

5.4 Structured Decision Making (SDM) Safety Assessment

5.4.1 Safety Assessment Decision Outcomes

5.4.2 Types of Safety Assessment

5.4.3 Completing the SDM Safety Assessment

5.4.4 Sections of the Safety Assessment

5.5 Caregiver Capacity and Impairment