Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

What is the first stage in the assessment process?

1. Information analysis

2. Information gathering

3. Drawing conclusions

4. Making decisions

The correct answer is: Information gathering

The first stage in the assessment process is information gathering, which is crucial for building a comprehensive understanding of the situation at hand. During this initial stage, practitioners collect relevant data from various sources, including interviews, case files, observations, and reports. This phase sets the groundwork for effective assessment by ensuring that all necessary information is available for analysis. Information gathering enables the investigator to identify key issues, understand the context of the case, and recognize the needs and concerns of the children and families involved. This thorough collection of information is essential for making informed decisions later in the assessment process. Without comprehensive information, subsequent steps such as drawing conclusions or making decisions may be based on incomplete or biased data, which could hinder the effectiveness of the child protection interventions. Following information gathering, the process moves on to analysis, drawing conclusions, and decision-making, each of which relies heavily on the quality and completeness of the information gathered initially. Thus, information gathering is rightly identified as the foundational first step in the assessment process.