Abstract
AbstractLimited resources for child protection create challenging decision situations for child protective services (CPS) workers at the point of intake. A body of research has examined the factors associated with worker decisions and processes using a variety of methodological approaches to gain knowledge on decision‐making. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review this literature. As part of a larger project on decision‐making at intake, this systematic review addressed the question of the factors associated with worker decisions to investigate alleged maltreatment referrals. Quantitative studies that examined factors associated with screening decisions in CPS practice settings were included in the review. Database and other search methods were used to identify research published in English over a 35‐year period (1980–2015). Of 1,147 identified sources, 18 studies were selected for full data extraction. The studies were conducted in the United States, Canada, and Sweden and varied in methodological quality. Most studies examined case factors with few studies examining other domains. To inform CPS policy and practice, additional research is needed to examine the relationships between decision‐making factors and case outcomes. Greater attention needs to be given to the organizational and external factors that influence decision‐making.
Highlights
Decision-making at the point of child protective services (CPS) intake is a challenge in all developed child protection systems
The current review explores factors identified in quantitative studies of CPS decision-making
Eligibility Criteria Eligible studies included the quantitative examinations of worker decisions to refer alleged maltreatment reports for investigation using data drawn from actual decision-making settings
Summary
Decision-making at the point of child protective services (CPS) intake is a challenge in all developed child protection systems. Research on child welfare decision-making has become an expansive body of work providing important knowledge across decision points, including screening referrals at intake for further investigation. As part of a larger study on decision-making, this systematic review addressed the question of the factors associated with worker decisions to investigate alleged reports of child maltreatment in quantitative studies over a thirty five-year period. A body of research has examined the factors associated with worker decisions and processes using a variety of methodological approaches to gain knowledge on decision-making. Objective: As part of a larger project on decision-making at intake, this systematic review addressed the question of the factors associated with worker decisions to investigate alleged maltreatment referrals. Methods: Quantitative studies that examined factors associated with screening decisions in CPS practice settings were included in the review. Screened-in referrals may be diverted through alternative response procedures when a worker determines that voluntary services are safe and appropriate, or they may be diverted from services when a worker determines that engagement with the agency is no longer warranted (Morley & Kaplan, 2011)
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