Out-of-home investigations present unique situations for the CA/N investigator.  Issues include whether CA/N is present or if a licensing violation in a child care facility without CA/N has occurred.  “Licensing violation” is defined in the glossary.  The following considerations may be applied, as appropriate, for a variety of out-of-home investigations.  Any findings that indicate only licensing violations should be referred to the appropriate licensing representative.

• Were the required number of caregivers on duty?
• Where were the caregivers?
• How long were the children left alone (if applicable)?
• Were there any injuries?
• Are there any prior CA/N reports?
• Corporal punishment that leaves no injuries may be a licensing violation.
• Not having the appropriate number of staff on duty is not necessarily lack of supervision for CA/N, although it is a licensing violation.
• Raising the voice to children is not necessarily emotional maltreatment.
• A lack of required safety equipment is not necessarily child neglect although it may be a licensing violation.