Caseworkers sometimes go to homes with scant information and have no idea who will be inside. Often they go in pairs. It's common practice on first visits for a caseworker to knock on the front door and stand to the side, much like police do when they don't know what to expect. When I answer that I'm from child protective services, you can imagine the plethora of responses on the other end. My role is to help you, but your response may be that you've got something to hide.
Critics say caseworkers are ill-trained to interview children.
Investigators have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, usually related to social services, and two years of outside experience. She says the forensic training, part of the 80 hours of initial instruction caseworkers must complete, is better now than when she did that job. The investigator tries to find out all he can about the family, including drug use, employment, baby sitters and relatives. If I'm trying to find out about injuries to a child, I have to ask questions. You can't be so vague and broad that nothing is going on here.