Chapter VIII:Protective Services

V. CONCLUSION

The requirement that the Departments of Social Services complete Investigative Assessments in child care facilities is unique. Under current North Carolina law, these are the only part-time non-relative caretaker relationships subject to Investigative Assessment. These Investigative Assessments are complex due to the number of different agencies and individuals involved. This section has outlined the activities and responsibilities involved in such an Investigative Assessment in an effort to clarify policy and provide guidance.

There are an ever-growing number of children in child care facilities. Parents usually place their children in child care in order to work or to go to school. They trust that their children are safe and will receive proper care in the child care facility when they, themselves, cannot be at home with them. It is a formidable responsibility for Departments of Social Services to step in when there is reason to believe that a child or children have been abused, neglected, or dependent in a child care facility. Care and concern should be offered to parents and children during an Investigative Assessment. The DSS should make every effort possible to protect children and to conduct an Investigative Assessment in such a way as to cause the least amount of disruption to families and child care facilities.