Child Protective Services Role Play
Jerome Roberts
Interviewer Information
Mother:
Father:
Victim:
Sibling:
Emily Roberts (32 yrs)
Jerome Roberts (34 yrs)
Paul/Paula Roberts, (male/female) 8 years
Jenny Roberts (6 month old)
Referral information:
Reporting Party—Cora Roberts, Paternal Aunt
RP stated the mother and father smoke marijuana and that the home is very “messy”. RP
does not know if the parents smoke marijuana in the presence of the children, but thinks
they probably do. It was also reported that Paul has what appears to be 6-8 red and purple
bruises and welts on the buttocks that resemble belt marks and one red/blue-ish mark on
the left arm. RP saw Paul yesterday and observed the bruises. RP stated Paul is often
playing in the street without appropriate supervision and the 6 month old is starting to
learn to scoot around the house and may get into some of the trash that is reported to be
“all around the house”. When the RP asked Paul about the bruises, he reported he “got
whipped” by his dad because he got in trouble, though he could not remember what for. It
was also reported the family has a dog that leaves feces in the house and it sometimes takes
days for the parents to clean it up.
CW History
The family has no child welfare history.
You are in the home of the Roberts family and have already interviewed Paul. Ms. Roberts
is not in the home, but Mr. Roberts is available and willing to speak with you.
The condition of the home is not concerning. There is the usual clutter, dirty dishes from
breakfast and maybe dinner last night. Clothing in baskets that need to be folded and some
trash scattered around. The ashtrays are not overflowing, but have a few cigarette butts—
nothing that looks like marijuana. The family has food—Ms. Roberts is at the grocery store
while you are in the home. There is a dog, but no feces can be seen in the home.
Child Protective Services Role Play
Jerome Roberts
Actor Information
Mother:
Father:
Victim:
Sibling:
Emily Roberts (32 yrs)
Jerome Roberts (34 yrs)
Paul/Paula Roberts, (male/female) 8 years
Jenny Roberts (6 month old)
Referral information:
Reporting Party—Cora Roberts, Paternal Aunt
RP stated the mother and father smoke marijuana and that the home is very “messy”. RP
does not know if the parents smoke marijuana in the presence of the children, but thinks
they probably do. It was also reported that Paul has what appears to be 6-8 red and purple
bruises and welts on the buttocks that resemble belt marks and one red/blue-ish mark on
the left arm. RP saw Paul yesterday and observed the bruises. RP stated Paul is often
playing in the street without appropriate supervision and the 6 month old is starting to
learn to scoot around the house and may get into some of the trash that is reported to be
“all around the house”. When the RP asked Paul about the bruises, he reported he “got
whipped” by his dad because he got in trouble, though he could not remember what for. It
was also reported the family has a dog that leaves feces in the house and it sometimes takes
days for the parents to clean it up.
CW History
The family has no child welfare history.
You are in the home of the Roberts family and have already interviewed Paul. Ms. Roberts
is not in the home, but Mr. Roberts is available and willing to speak with you.
Family History: You live with your wife, Emily and two children, Paul and Jenny. Child
Welfare is in your home to speak to you regarding bruises on Paul’s bottom and arm. They
have already interviewed Paul regarding the injuries.
The condition of the home is not concerning. There is the usual clutter, dirty dishes from
breakfast and maybe dinner last night. Clothing in baskets that need to be folded and some
trash scattered around. The ashtrays are not overflowing, but have a few cigarette butts—
nothing that looks like marijuana. The family has food—Ms. Roberts is at the grocery store
while you are in the home. There is a dog, but no feces can be seen in the home.
During the interview, you can reveal the following information as the worker asks good
questions and develops a good rapport with you.
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You work as a UPS driver and work 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. Your wife stays home with
Jenny during the day.
Today, you have a day off and were working on some things around the house, your
wife is at the grocery store with Jenny.
You were kinda expecting a visit from Child Welfare because your sister called and
asked about the bruises.
She is a “know-it-all” and you told her to mind her own business.
A couple of days ago, you were in your driveway working on an old truck, trying to
change the brakes.
Jenny was inside the house asleep and Paul was playing outside on the front yard
kicking the soccer ball.
You have a large front yard and lots of room for Paul to play on.
While you were under the truck, you heard a car honk right in front of your house.
You also heard the driver yell “Oh Shit!”
You scrambled out from under the car to see the car stopped and Paul holding his
soccer ball right in front of the car. The driver jumped out and asked if Paul was
okay.
Paul told him yes as you ran over to see what happened.
The driver told you they did not see Paul in the street and nearly ran into him—you
apologized and thanked the driver.
You were very upset (angry, scared and embarrassed) and you grabbed Paul by the
arm and took him inside the house.
You had on your belt you always wear (black with a silver and blue buckle) and you
took it off and spanked Paul 5 or 6 times.
Paul would not stand still and you think one time you may have hit his arm.
You were so scared and angry you did not know how hard you were hitting him.
You did not mean to leave the injuries and you feel bad about it.
You deny smoking marijuana if the issue is brought up, but you do smoke it once in a
while when the kids are asleep and Emily is home. Emily does not smoke it and you
go outside to do so. You keep it in your bathroom.