The THSC’s special counsel for CPS Investigations guides you through handling CPS’ unwarranted intrusion into your homeschooling family using his or her years of experience with Texas Child Protective Services (CPS).
CPS Interview
What happens with CPS interviews your child?
CPS will interview your child unless they are too young to speak or otherwise unable to express themselves. Expect to have your child interviewed if a report detailing allegations of abuse or neglect against your child is received by CPS.
Interviews may occur at your home, a CPS office, your child’s daycare center, or their school. The primary topics that are covered in a child interview are:
The CPS investigator must first obtain your consent before conducting the interview in your home.
The interview will have to take place elsewhere without your consent. No matter where the interview occurs, the CPS investigator will want to speak to your child in a quiet setting where he or she feels at ease doing so.
This implies that not even you, as their parent, will be permitted to watch the interview.
On the other hand, if you are present at the school when the interview takes place and CPS wants to interview your child there, they must first get your consent. If you are not present at the school, they may speak with your child without your consent.
The important thing to keep in mind in this situation is that if you have already denied CPS permission to interview your child at your home, they cannot circumvent your refusal by conducting the interview at the elementary school.
Coaching your child prior to a CPS interview
It is never appropriate to “coach” your child before a CPS interview, aside from telling them to be honest with CPS. Never instruct your kid to tell a lie to CPS, how to phrase something, or how to emphasize or downplay certain points.
CPS detectives are instructed to search for telltale indications of coaching. What’s more- children are not good at masking the truth. Your child’s responses will reveal your attempts to protect yourself, and the investigation team will view this as evidence against you.
What do you want to accomplish in this job? What are your expectations?
The most important thing at this point is being realistic. It would be wonderful if we could reconcile every fractured family and prevent ever having to remove a child from their parents. However, that is not how things actually go for CVS Conservatorship employees on a daily basis.
Frequently, you will have to remove a child from its parents. Counseling can help, but it can’t do miracles. Declare that you have no expectations for the final product of your work. In every interview and family meeting, you’ll do your absolute best. You are aware that times will be difficult, and your parents might use harsh language.
However, you are responsible for that behavior, and your top priority is the welfare of children. Your goal is to carry out your duties as effectively as you can. It’s difficult to predict how it will affect each individual family in need. You can also say that you expect a difficult job. Idealistic and wearing pink glasses would only cause problems in the future.
There is no set script for CPS interviews.
We searched for a specific interview guide for social workers to follow when speaking with kids, but we were unable to find one. That makes sense, because every CPS case is unique. The CPS caseworker is attempting to determine whether or not the alleged claims are true, so the overall goals are the same.
We have based all of this information on the 136-page document titled “Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers.” It is summarized here for your convenience.
The following information will be uncovered during the interview:
Reflective listening, which involves reflecting back statements in an effort to elicit more information, is a skill taught to caseworkers, Because of this, it is impossible to compile a comprehensive list of all the possible interview questions.
Consequently, we will outline common lines of inquiry and suggest some potential inquiries in this article. Your child may be asked different questions depending on the situation, the caseworker, and the specific accusations made against you.
FAQ
What kind of questions does CPS ask the parents?
What actually transpired during the alleged abuse or neglectful incident(s)(s)? Does the child currently feel safe in their home? whether the child anticipates future maltreatment or neglect whether any abuse or neglect occurred in the first place.
What do you say in a CPS interview?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What made you want to work in CPS?
- What motivates you?
- What are you passionate about?
- Where do you see your career in five years?
- What are your current career goals?
- What is your working style?
What questions do social workers ask kids?
- The standard opening query to establish rapport with the child is, “How are you?”
- What do you feel about mummy/daddy? …
- Has mummy or daddy ever done something you don’t like? .
- Conclusion.
What questions does CPS ask a 4 year old?
…
Questions about Sexual Abuse
- Has anyone touched you inappropriately?
- Does (this person) make you uncomfortable?
- Can you tell me what happened?
- When did it happen? Where did it happen?
