Comments on: Your Instincts Tell You to Get Out of the Home…What Do You Do?

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 12:11:22 +0000

In reply to Barbara.

Oh, that IS an uncomfortable situation, Barbara. It sounds like you did the right thing. When you documented the situation, did you find it hard to figure out what to record? I remember recording events like this and having to step back and just get the facts and my observations down on paper – without my feelings or judgments about it all, which were usually pretty strong because I was shaken up. I think our strong feelings about these situations are normal because we do care, but our feelings don’t necessarily need to go in the record. What do you think?

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:20:42 +0000

I have arrived at a home at the expected time and found everyone asleep – except for a young sibling who opened the door because I was a familiar person. It was a very uncomfortble situation. I did not want to leave the house with the young child “in charge” and everyone asleep so I stayed until the little one finally got Daddy up. I then left. In the car, I called my supervisor and the family’s DSS caseworker. Cori is right – we are nurturers by nature and we want to leave children in safe surroundings. The whole situation turned nasty later but because I had called it in immediately and had documented it all in the file, DSS backed me up completely. So – trust your gut instinct, make calls immediately, and document!

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:57:00 +0000

In reply to Lynne Blythe.

Excellent strategies, Lynne. Thanks so much for sharing them. I especially like how you would say you have an urgent matter to attend to because this is very true and would give you a polite “out.” Great advice!

By: Lynne Blythe

Lynne Blythe — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:21:29 +0000

So how would I excuse myself…? I would say I have an urgent need to return to my office (which is true), and then I would exit the premises. Depending upon the particulars, I might call CPS right away (if I had to leave the child unsupervised in the home). If asked for particulars, would state can’t reveal details due to confidentiality requirements. Immediate call to SC & supervisor & documentation of events.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:02:08 +0000

In reply to Lynne Blythe.

Such a good point, Lynne! Not always an easy call to make but yours is great perspective to keep in mind. It’s like how they say that, in an emergency, the most important things you can do are make sure you are safe and call 911. Even if 911 isn’t needed here, getting to a safe place will certainly make it easier for you determine what you need to do next.

By: Lynne Blythe

Lynne Blythe — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 19:49:58 +0000

Timely topic……it is so very important to always consider safety at every visit, for every child. Certainly, when something tells you – it’s doesn’t feel right, it is important to act upon that feeling. And remember, you can’t help the child & family if you are in an unsafe place or situation.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 16:46:12 +0000

In reply to Cori.

That’s exactly it, Cori – we do tend to think of the child and family first. That’s not a bad thing but our safety is so important too. There are polite ways to excuse yourself from a visit when your red flags to up. What would you say to the mother or friend to excuse yourself?

By: Cori

Cori — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 16:21:15 +0000

You know, I think one of the hardest thing is that so many of us choose the field of EI because we are really “good helpers.” It sometimes “goes against our grain” to think about the danger to ourselves because we are first thinking about the child or the family.

I think the idea that “if it doesn’t ‘feel right’, it probably isn’t” is a great mantra to abide. I’d leave, talk to my supervisor and discuss whether a CPS referral is warranted.