Decisions regarding child protection are complicated and have a large impact on children, parents and families. This study aims to examine whether certain family factors (family conflicts such as...Show moreDecisions regarding child protection are complicated and have a large impact on children, parents and families. This study aims to examine whether certain family factors (family conflicts such as domestic violence, SES, divorce between parents and/or the number of children in the family) cohere with the decision to start an investigation (raadsonderzoek) by the child protection services (Raad voor de Kinderbescherming). This decision regarding an investigation is a particular decision in the Netherlands which is made early in the process of child protection. When an investigation is necessary, the child protection services will further investigate if a supervision order, out-of-home placement or termination of authority is necessary. When an investigation is not necessary the families continue with voluntary youth care and the child protection services are no longer involved. To examine if certain family factors are related to the decision to start an investigation 84 documents filled in by the child protection services and other involved youth workers were analysed. This document contains information about the parents, children and family. For this research an own coding system was developed to code the documents. Family conflicts such as domestic violence, SES, divorce between parents and/or the number of children in the family were not related to the decision to start an investigation by the child protection services. For good decision-making in child protection all factors (family, child and parent factors) need to be taken in account, not only family factors.Show less