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What are Harm and Danger Statements?"Actual experiences of past or current harm to a child by a caregiver and our resulting concerns and worries about what may happen in the future." Although Harm Statements and Danger Statements are separate from each other in their specific focus and purpose, they are interrelated in how and why they are used by child welfare professionals. Harm and Danger Statements are descriptions of behaviors exhibited by caregivers that have created past or current harm to a child, and our resulting concerns and worries about what may happen in the future if those behaviors continue.
The primary consideration in both statements is the impact that the caregiver’s actions have had or are currently having on the child(ren). Sometimes there are dangerous situations that are present within families that are not child welfare concerns. Safety mapping helps to "tease out" these possibilities. As you try writing these statements, be sure to do so in clear, non-judgmental, easily understandable language with a focus on caregiver, behavior, and impact on the child. See below for further description and examples |