Visit Reports

• Contain confidential information.
• Require protection under the data security requirements
• Are a permanent part of the case record.
• Provide information about parent’s progress and safety concerns.
• Help professionals in the case decide if the visit plan should be modified.
• Informs the CA social worker about other services that may be needed by a family.
• Informs decisions regarding permanency for the child.

The purpose of the visit report is to “draw an objective picture” of what happened during the visit, so that parties to the case can understand the interactions between the parents and children.

• Who was present
• When and where the visit occurred
• What the family did during their time together
• What the family said during the visit
• If the child said or did anything while being transported that others should know about

Behaviorally Specific Language vs. Opinion

• Only document specific observable behaviors
• Describe the child and parent behaviors and statements
• Use objective language
• Describe unusual incidents, safety concerns
• Avoid interpretations, perceptions, judgments
• Avoid drawing conclusions and making assumptions

Choose Your Language Carefully

Opinion and Judgment:

• Parent was rude and vulgar.
• Parent didn’t have a clue about changing the child’s diaper.
• Parent’s home was nasty and unsafe.
• Parent was filthy and drunk.

Behaviorally Specific Language:

• The parent yelled at me and called me a “stupid bitch”.
• The parent put the diaper on inside out.
• The parents home had cigarette butts all over the table, dog feces on the floor, and exposed wiring in reach of the toddler.
• Parent’s pants had food particles on them.
• Parent had body odor, and her breath smelled of alcohol.

Report to Caregiver

• When and what the child ate or drank
• Time of last diaper change or toileting
• Any nap during the visit or transport
• Any injury to the child
• Any conversations with or between children that may impact their safety and well being
• If a visit ended early due to the child’s behavior, briefly describe the behavior from the child’s perspective.
• If a visit ended early due to the parent’s behavior, only report the visit ended early.