Differential response is a research area within social work and child welfare that focuses on the varying approaches and strategies used to respond to reports of child abuse and neglect. This approach typically involves offering different responses based on the specific needs and circumstances of each family, rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach. Differential response aims to provide more tailored and individualized interventions that can better address the unique needs of families involved in the child welfare system. This approach is often seen as a more flexible and family-centered alternative to traditional investigative responses.