1. Introduction to the Domains
Safety Framework
Introduction to the Domains
In-service training presentation for Southern Region – Sept 2012
Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Child Protective Investigations Section

2. 1. Understand why we are shifting to the safety framework
Learning Objectives
1. Understand why we are shifting to the safety framework
2. Identify the six domains
Ask: why we are shifting from a maltreatment-oriented, compliance-driven approach to the safety framework?

3. 1. Our mission is to ensure child safety
Why Change?
1. Our mission is to ensure child safety
2. To do that, we need more information about the family than simply the whether or not there was maltreatment
3. For example, home has hazardous conditions, but may have underlying mental health issues/other issues

4. What is a “safe child”? No threats of danger exist, or
Parents possess protective capacities to manage any threats

5. What is an “unsafe“ child?

6. Threats of danger exist Children are vulnerable to those threats
Parents have insufficient protective capacities to manage threats

7. General Parenting Views? Adult Functioning? Disciplinary Practices?
In order to really know if a child is safe or unsafe, we need to understand how the family functions. To do that, we have to understand what is happening in the six domains listed below:
Nature
of maltreatment?
Circumstances of maltreatment?
Child’s
day to day
functioning?
General Parenting Views?
Adult Functioning?
Disciplinary Practices?

8. Safety Framework Information Standard Domains
Extent of maltreatment
Circumstances surrounding the maltreatment
Child Functioning
Adult Functioning
General Parenting
Disciplinary Practices

9. Concerned with facts & evidence of actual maltreating behavior
Worker’s Observations
Interviews
and
Supporting Evidence
Experts such as LEO, CPT, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence professionals
Includes verification about type of Maltreatment consistent with finding
Maltreatment

10. Nature of Maltreatment
Surrounding or Accompanying Circumstances
Qualifies Maltreatment as to what preceded or led up to the event
Or existed while the maltreatment was occurring
Greater understanding as to seriousness of maltreatment

11. Child Functioning
Considered w/respect to age appropriateness of the child
Must have working knowledge of child development
Assess trust, motor skills, intellect, emotion, play, eating & sleep habits
Skills & communication
Independence & assertiveness
Physical capabilities including vulnerabilities
Emphasis is on general behaviors, emotions,
rather than the intervention

12. Adult Functioning Strictly about caregivers in their everyday lives
Concerned with life management
Social relationships, problem solving
Intellect
Stress Management
Role performance influenced by Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Individual’s history [i.e.: criminal, employment, relationships, etc]
Adult Functioning

13. General Parenting General Parenting
Distinctly Centered on overall parenting
Can not allow the overall maltreatment to overshadow information
Basic style and care & the origin of their beliefs.
Communication
Expectation of children
Their viewpoint towards children
Parenting Experiences

14. Parenting Discipline Parenting Discipline
Focuses on one area – discipline of the child
Includes parent’s method & source of method
Purpose or reasons for discipline [i.e.: “My parents spanked me & I am ok.” ]
[i.e.: Change behavior or punish]
Expectations of the discipline

15. The focus is always on child safety
For the PI, safety can only be determined if you can understand and explain what is happening within the six domains of the family.
For the case manager, enhanced protective capacity for the parents and the safety of the child , (not compliance with case plans) will be the drivers that determine whether you can close a case or return a child home.
Remember- a safe child is one where no threats exist, or the parents possess sufficient protective capacity to keep the child safe from the threats.

16. Group Activity

17. Questions?