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UW School of Social Work

Child Protective Services (CPS) In-Service: Safety Framework

  • By Winter Miller
  • Published: Sep 21, 2026
  • Duration 6h
    • Credential For Completion

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the Child Safety Framework, including key components such as safety assessments, protective action plans, and SDM (Structured Decision Making).

  • Identify the key questions needed to gather comprehensive information during safety assessments to assess child vulnerability, caregiver protective capacities, and household conditions.

  • Describe the purpose and application of Structured Decision Making (SDM) in assessing risk and safety threats.

  • Differentiate between a safety plan and a protective action, understanding when and how each should be implemented.

  • Conduct structured safety assessments, using effective questioning techniques to gather necessary information from children, caregivers, and collateral contacts.

  • Apply critical thinking and SDM tools to analyze risk factors and determine the appropriate level of intervention.

  • Develop and implement safety plans tailored to the specific needs of a child and family, as well as respond with protective actions when necessary.

  • Accurately document safety assessment findings, protective actions, and ongoing case determinations in a clear, concise, and legally defensible manner.

This training equips Child Protection Services (CPS) caseworkers with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to assess child safety and implement appropriate interventions. You will increase your understanding of the Child Safety Framework, including Structured Decision Making (SDM) and the distinction between safety plans and protective actions. Through practice-based learning, you will enhance your ability to conduct comprehensive safety assessments, apply critical thinking and accurately document safety findings.
You will also work on developing plans that are developed with the family, focused on the best interests of the child, culturally responsive and strength-based, as this approach leads to the best outcomes.

Completion of this course confers 6 credit hours.

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