The case for integration of the investigator and helper roles in child protection

Social workers who have both investigative and helping roles in child protective cases may find the roles to be in conflict and difficult to integrate. This problem has been exacerbated by recent changes in U.S. law and court procedure which place more emphasis on the quality of child abuse investigations. While it may not be easy for social workers to integrate the roles of investigator and helper, this paper draws on social work theory to show that it is possible and beneficial to their clients when they are able to do so. Social workers who are able to perform successfully in both roles are best prepared to help clients recognize and overcome problems. Division of the investigator and helper roles, on the other hand, may create significant difficulties including staff conflict, denial of problems by clients, and distortion of clients' expectations of the professional and the agency.