Child Abuse / Neglect Reporting

Mandated Reporters

Anyone who has reason to suspect that a child is being maltreated by a parent, guardian or caretaker is a mandated reporter.

Making a Report

Call the Department of Social Services at 910-219-1955 or call the Sheriff's Department after hours at 910-455-3113 and ask for the Emergency Duty Social Worker.

Please note: You can make an anonymous report.

Process After Report is Made

The report is screened to see if it meets the criteria for a report based on the North Carolina General Statute. If it meets the criteria, the decision will be made as to which track the social worker will be using to assess the report. If the report is taken as an abuse report the social worker may make contact with law enforcement and then interview the children, and then make follow up contact with the parents to put a safety plan in place to try to keep the children in the home while ensuring their safety. If that cannot be done, then the social worker may ask the parents to place the child with a friend or relative for a period of time. If a safe placement cannot be found by the parents and the level of risk to the child is found to be high based on the risk assessment then it may require that the social worker file court action to place the child in foster care.

Social Worker Assessment

If the report is taken as an assessment the social worker will try to call the family if a number has been provided to schedule a meeting with the family to discuss the report. At that time a safety plan is put in place to try to keep the children in the home and ensure their safety. If that cannot be done the social worker may ask the parents to place the child with a friend or relative for a period of time. If a safe placement cannot be found by the parents and the level of risk to the child is found to be high based on the risk assessment then it may require that the social worker file court action to place the child in foster care.

The main goal of CPS is to work with the family to protect the children while working with them to provide services to assist in helping to maintain the family unit whenever possible.

Cases in Need of Service

If the case is substantiated or found in need of services it will be transferred to the in home services unit for ongoing services. An In-Home Family Services Agreement is jointly developed with the family and social worker to address the needs or conditions that created risk to the child. The case plan will also identify and build on the family's strengths. The social worker will conduct home visits and make referrals to appropriate resources while continuing to assess the risk level to the children.