Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a social services program that helps protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It's similar to Child Protective Services, but focuses on helping adults who are elderly or have disabilities. Social workers in this field investigate reports of mistreatment, connect people with community resources, and work with other agencies like law enforcement and healthcare providers to ensure adult safety. This term appears frequently in social work job descriptions, especially for positions dealing with elderly care or disability services.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted investigations and needs assessments as an Adult Protective Services case worker
Managed 30+ active APS cases monthly, providing intervention and support services
Collaborated with Adult Protective Services team to develop safety plans for at-risk seniors
Typical job title: "Adult Protective Services Workers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Adult Protective Services Workers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a complex case involving multiple agencies and family conflict?
Expected Answer: Look for answers demonstrating leadership experience, ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, conflict resolution skills, and knowledge of various resources and legal requirements.
Q: Describe your experience with program development and policy implementation in APS.
Expected Answer: Candidate should discuss experience creating or improving procedures, training other staff, and working with management to enhance service delivery.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What steps do you take when investigating an abuse report?
Expected Answer: Should describe the investigation process, including initial contact, assessment, documentation, and developing intervention plans while maintaining confidentiality.
Q: How do you determine if an adult has the capacity to make their own decisions?
Expected Answer: Should explain assessment procedures, working with medical professionals, and understanding legal standards for capacity while respecting client rights.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the different types of elder abuse you might encounter?
Expected Answer: Should identify physical, emotional, financial abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, showing basic understanding of warning signs.
Q: How would you handle a situation where a client refuses services?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of client rights, ability to document refusal, and knowledge of when to involve supervisors.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic case management
- Understanding of elder abuse types
- Documentation skills
- Knowledge of community resources
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex case management
- Crisis intervention
- Collaboration with multiple agencies
- Risk assessment expertise
Senior (5+ years)
- Program supervision
- Policy development
- Staff training and mentoring
- Complex case consultation
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of understanding about mandatory reporting requirements
- Poor documentation habits
- Unable to maintain professional boundaries
- No experience with crisis intervention
- Unfamiliarity with elder abuse laws and regulations
Related Terms
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