- What type of abuse occurred?
- How severe was the abuse?
- How often did physical abuse occur?
- Conditions in the household which exist at the time of the abuse, i.e., what was going on right before the child was hurt (If a caretaker has admitted to the abuse, what was happening just before they hit the child?). Who was the primary target of abuse? One child, all the children? Can the parent explain why one child was targeted?
- What purpose did the abuse serve (parent’s perception, i.e., discipline, outlet for anger, and/or frustration)? Was physical abuse a part of parent’s parenting, i.e., was parent physically abused as a child?
- Have any incidents of abuse occurred since intervention (during prolonged visits)?
- What has been the visitation plan; what has occurred during visitation? This information may be documented in FACES, on the Supervised Visitation Checklist, CD-86, and/or the Visitation Reaction Form, CD-85.
- What treatment services has the parent received to alter past problem behavior? Has parent actively participated in treatment? Has parent benefited from treatment?
- What is required of parent and other family members to prevent recurrence of abuse? State specific behaviors parent has learned (utilized/demonstrated) to replace past abusive behavior.
- Who will parent call if past behavior recurs or if parent feels behavior could recur? Does parent/child know the indicators that behavior has/will recur and when to call?
- Who will child tell if abusive behavior recurs in the household?
- Is an aftercare plan written, and do all treatment team members have a copy of the plan?
Related Subject: Section 7 Chapter 28 Physical Abuse