Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes 'inadequate shelter' as a neglect issue?

1. Providing too little space for a child

2. Failing to offer a safe and stable living environment

3. Not allowing a child to have friends over

4. Housing a child in a small apartment

The correct answer is: Failing to offer a safe and stable living environment

Inadequate shelter is best understood as failing to offer a safe and stable living environment. This encompasses various factors that contribute to the overall well-being of a child, such as the presence of hazards, structural integrity, sanitation, and the ability to meet basic needs like warmth and privacy. A child's living environment must be conducive to their safety and development; thus, neglect occurs when those standards are not met. Providing too little space or having a child in a small apartment may be concerns, but they do not capture the essence of what constitutes inadequate shelter, which primarily revolves around safety and stability. Similarly, not allowing a child to have friends over relates more to social interactions and privileges rather than the fundamental aspects of housing. Therefore, while space and socialization are important, they are not as critical as the overarching need for a safe, stable living situation that is free from threats and provides for a child's health and security.