Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker)
Child, Family, and School Social WorkersDescription
Investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect, ensure child safety, and coordinate services and legal actions to achieve family stability and permanency. Conduct risk assessments, develop safety and case plans, arrange foster or kinship placements, and collaborate with courts, law enforcement, schools, and providers while maintaining detailed documentation and testimony.
- • Receive and screen hotline reports of suspected abuse or neglect and prioritize response.
- • Conduct home visits and interviews with children, caregivers, and collateral contacts.
- • Assess immediate safety and ongoing risk using approved tools; implement safety plans.
- • Make emergency removals when necessary and arrange protective placements.
- • Complete background checks and home assessments for kinship caregivers.
- • Monitor child well-being and placement stability through regular visits and contacts.
- • Supervise and document family visitation and coach safe parenting practices.
- • Track compliance with court orders and service plan goals and update plans as needed.
- • Pursue reunification while conducting concurrent permanency planning when appropriate.
- • Collaborate with schools to support educational stability and address special needs.
- • Arrange medical, psychological, and developmental evaluations and follow up on treatment.
- • Connect families with financial assistance, housing, and other community resources.
- • Participate in on-call rotation and respond to after-hours emergencies.
- • Maintain confidentiality and comply with laws, policies, and timelines.
- • Provide guidance or mentorship to interns or new staff as assigned.
- • Develop family-centered case plans focused on safety, permanency, and well-being.
- • Arrange and monitor services such as parenting classes, substance use and mental health treatment, and domestic violence support.
- • Coordinate with law enforcement, courts, GAL/CASA, and medical providers.
- • Prepare petitions, affidavits, and detailed case notes in the child welfare information system.
- • Testify in court and submit written reports and recommendations.
- • Facilitate family team meetings and case conferences.
- • Place children in kinship or foster homes and match placements to child needs.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
