Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

What is a safety plan in the context of child protection investigations?

1. A long-term foster care plan

2. A voluntary, short-term plan designed to control serious and immediate threats to a child's safety

3. A legal document establishing custody arrangements

4. An assessment of the child's health and well-being

The correct answer is: A voluntary, short-term plan designed to control serious and immediate threats to a child's safety

A safety plan in the context of child protection investigations is a voluntary, short-term plan specifically designed to address and manage serious and immediate threats to a child's safety. The primary goal of a safety plan is to outline the steps and measures that caregivers can take to ensure the child's well-being while more permanent solutions are explored. This plan can involve different strategies, such as the temporary removal of the child from a harmful environment, ensuring safe living arrangements, or providing additional support services to the family. This approach emphasizes the protection of the child without resorting to long-term measures until a thorough investigation can be completed. The flexibility of a safety plan allows for quick adaptations to changing situations, ensuring that the child remains safe while ongoing assessments are made. In contrast, other options provided differ significantly in purpose and function. A long-term foster care plan implies an extended arrangement rather than immediate safety, a legal document establishing custody arrangements pertains more to legal rights and responsibilities rather than urgent protective measures, and an assessment of the child's health and well-being does not directly deal with immediate threats but rather evaluates the child's current status. Thus, the focus and intent of a safety plan make it an essential tool for ensuring the child’s immediate safety in a crisis.