If an adult reporter wants to put a child (any person younger than age 18) on the phone, the intake specialist explains that it is preferable to obtain the information from an adult reporter and leave it for investigators to interview the child.

However, the intake specialist interviews the child if either of the following occurs:

• The adult reporter insists on putting the child on the phone.
• The child is the only person reporting.

Best practices for an interview with a child include the following:

• Use age-appropriate language.
• Use open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no (for example, ask, “What would you like to tell me today?”).
• Do not ask leading questions.
• Limit questions to only items needed for assessment (do not go into graphic detail).
• Keep it short.
• Use a soft tone of voice.
• Be extra patient and empathetic.
• Be flexible.

The intake specialist uses these best practices if the intake specialist interviews a child.

See 2843 Complaint from a Foster Youth about His or Her Placement.