What Happens to Reports Received

The steps below happen for each report received by the Child Protection Line.

STEP 1 - REVIEW THE REPORT

1. A supervisor reviews the report to determine if it can be accepted for intervention.
2. If it's not accepted, it's reviewed by another supervisor who may decide to accept it. 
3. If it's still not accepted, the family may be referred to services in the community.

STEP 2 -  DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION

1. The supervisor chooses the appropriate intervention: assessment or investigation.
2. A social worker is assigned to the case.
3. The chosen intervention typically begins within 72 hours — sooner if a child is in imminent danger.

STEP 3 - CONDUCT THE ASSESSMENT OR INVESTIGATION

Both types of intervention include similar steps:

1. Assess the child’s immediate safety.
2. Assess the risk of future harm.
3. Determine the outcome of the intervention.
4. Open a case for ongoing services if needed.

STEP 4 - DETERMINE THE OUTCOME

Need For Services - Assessment & Investigations:

1. If the assessed risk is high or very high, we may open a case for ongoing services.
2. If we open a case, we’ll help the family develop a plan to make their home safe, keep their child home, and strengthen their family.

Formal Determination - Investigations Only:

1. We make a formal determination of whether the reported abuse or neglect happened.
2. If the answer is yes, the report is substantiated, and the substantiated person’s name may be added to the Child Protection Registry.

Learn More

Policy 51:  Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
Policy 52:  Child Safety Interventions – Investigations and Assessments
Policy 56:  Substantiating Child Abuse and Neglect