Child Welfare License (CWEL) Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The term that refers to a situation in which a parent intends to permanently leave their child is abandonment. This concept is a legal and social term that denotes a parent's decision to forsake their parental responsibilities entirely. When a parent abandons a child, it signifies not just a physical absence but also a clear intent that they are not returning nor maintaining any form of parent-child relationship.

Understanding abandonment is crucial in child welfare, as it often triggers intervention processes by authorities. The legal ramifications of abandonment may involve the termination of parental rights and the placement of the child into protective custody or foster care, emphasizing the need to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

In contrast to this term, safety neglect pertains to situations where a child is left in hazardous conditions or environments. Protective custody is used when authorities take children away from unsafe situations, but it does not imply a permanent decision by a parent. Lastly, child vulnerability focuses on the inherent risks and needs of a child, rather than the actions or intentions of the parent. Therefore, abandonment accurately captures the essence of a parent's intention to leave their child permanently.