In this paper, we utilize both English and German language scholarly literature to describe the use of four core concepts in child protection. Using the scholarly literature, we address the research questions: (1) How are these four concepts used in regard to child protection services? (2) How do these four concepts address and reflect the social circumstances of families? Expansion to just one other language adds important insight to our understanding and might serve to guide further scholarship expansion to other languages. Inclusion of Kindeswohlgefährdung (Endangerment of the best interest of the child) as a specific concept in the German language environment facilitates this bi-lingual approach.