A Multilevel Examination of Whether Child Welfare Worker Characteristics Predict the Substantiation Decision in Canada

• DOI: 10.1177/08862605221120911
• Publication Date: 2022-09-06T07:16:06Z
• Authors: Kristen Lwin; Barbara Fallon; Joanne Filippelli; Nico Trocmé
• Keywords: Canada; 05 social sciences; 1. No poverty; Child Welfare; Social Workers; Original Articles; 16. Peace & justice; Population Groups; 8. Economic growth; Humans; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Child Abuse; Child

The decision to substantiate a report of child maltreatment represents key point in the welfare service decision-making continuum. This has various potential implications for children and their families, which may include more intensive involvement or cessation services. substantiation is determined by whether there enough evidence suggest that risk occurred. To date, been minimal exploration worker characteristics might influence this critical point. Decision-Making Ecology would indeed, play role how they carry out role. Given importance point, study uses secondary data examine characteristics, such as education level type, ethnoracial identity, caseload, experience, predict Canadian context. Furthermore, utilizes multilevel modeling, theoretically important unique method analyzing organizational considers differences decisions among workers. final model included 4,327 567 workers from across Canada. Several case factors (e.g., age functioning, caregiver factors) predicted decision. most importantly study, significantly Workers with fewer years those an Ongoing Services role, lower caseload substantiated often than work another higher caseloads. Lastly, training both interacted Implications policy practice future research areas are discussed.