The FAR pathway depends on the family's voluntary participation. The FAR worker will do their best to engage the family and explain the purpose of talking with the parents and the child. The FAR worker will ask the parents' permission to speak to the child alone, on the rare occasion that talking with children alone is necessary. Whenever possible, caseworkers should speak to families together; a separate interview with the child alone is not required unless the worker feels it is warranted based on additional information they receive or observe when they meet with the family. If the parents refuse to participate in FAR, the case will be transferred to the Investigative pathway.