Child Welfare in Ontario:Child Welfare in Ontario:Implementing a Collaborative Implementing a Collaborative Intervention Model for Child Intervention Model for Child

Protection ServicesProtection Services

Finding the Key to SuccessFinding the Key to Success

Phase IIPhase II

September 2006September 2006

IntroductionIntroduction In 2004, the Local Directors Section and Zone Chairs for Ontario In 2004, the Local Directors Section and Zone Chairs for Ontario

Children’s Aid Societies approved a provincial project to examine and Children’s Aid Societies approved a provincial project to examine and recommend improvements based upon the recognized need for recommend improvements based upon the recognized need for transformation to child welfare practice within the province. It was called transformation to child welfare practice within the province. It was called ‘Enhancing Positive Worker Interventions with Children and their ‘Enhancing Positive Worker Interventions with Children and their Families in Protection Services: Best Practices and Required Skills’. Families in Protection Services: Best Practices and Required Skills’.

This committee’s initial phase of work was completed in August of This committee’s initial phase of work was completed in August of 2005, with a Project CD encompassing various reference materials and 2005, with a Project CD encompassing various reference materials and the Position Paper. The Paper recommended a child welfare policy the Position Paper. The Paper recommended a child welfare policy and practice shift in Ontario towards what we have called a and practice shift in Ontario towards what we have called a “collaborative intervention model.” “collaborative intervention model.”

The Phase II committee discussed a number of specific comments from The Phase II committee discussed a number of specific comments from the field and where necessary, revised the present content or the field and where necessary, revised the present content or incorporated new aspects into the final Position Paper. Positive incorporated new aspects into the final Position Paper. Positive feedback surpassed negative feedback, but the strength of any work feedback surpassed negative feedback, but the strength of any work lies in its response to the ‘tough’ questions posed from the field. lies in its response to the ‘tough’ questions posed from the field.

  

The Collaboration Model – An OverviewThe Collaboration Model – An Overview

The Phase II Committee reviewed all feedback from The Phase II Committee reviewed all feedback from the initial paper and input has been incorporated the initial paper and input has been incorporated where possible.where possible.

The 64-page document clarifies the model, outlines a The 64-page document clarifies the model, outlines a set of principles, puts forth a values, vision, mission set of principles, puts forth a values, vision, mission statement, and raises further questions and areas for statement, and raises further questions and areas for self-reflection.self-reflection.

In essence, we envision CASs, collateral service In essence, we envision CASs, collateral service providers and the broader community, working providers and the broader community, working together in a collaborative manner to ensure together in a collaborative manner to ensure Safe Safe Children . . .Stronger Families . . . Supportive Children . . .Stronger Families . . . Supportive Communities. Communities.

Report From The Working GroupReport From The Working Group

1.1. Developing Collaboration at an Agency LevelDeveloping Collaboration at an Agency Level

Build and Maintain Trust Internally/Externally Build and Maintain Trust Internally/Externally Develop a Board Policy Statement on CollaborationDevelop a Board Policy Statement on Collaboration Develop a Collaborative Leadership Style, Reflective Management Develop a Collaborative Leadership Style, Reflective Management

Philosophy and Improved Employee RelationsPhilosophy and Improved Employee Relations Change the Service Delivery Model to One of CollaborationChange the Service Delivery Model to One of Collaboration Develop the Agency as a Learning CommunityDevelop the Agency as a Learning Community Public Relations and Other Communication Mediums are EssentialPublic Relations and Other Communication Mediums are Essential Enhance Collaboration Between the Agency and the Broader Enhance Collaboration Between the Agency and the Broader

CommunityCommunity Implement Collaborative Outcome MeasuresImplement Collaborative Outcome Measures

Report From The Working GroupReport From The Working Group

2.2. Helping Supervisors with CollaborationHelping Supervisors with Collaboration

Readiness Assessment and Training are Essential, as Readiness Assessment and Training are Essential, as Supervisors are the ‘Cornerstone’ in Leading ChangeSupervisors are the ‘Cornerstone’ in Leading Change

Workload Issues Must be ExaminedWorkload Issues Must be Examined Supervisors Need Education in Managing ChangeSupervisors Need Education in Managing Change Senior Management Should Listen to Supervisor’s with Senior Management Should Listen to Supervisor’s with

respect to Possible Barriers and Challengesrespect to Possible Barriers and Challenges

Report From The Working GroupReport From The Working Group

3.3. Helping Workers with CollaborationHelping Workers with Collaboration

Community Perspectives of Child Protection Work & Community Perspectives of Child Protection Work & Collaboration are often MisunderstoodCollaboration are often Misunderstood

Overwhelming Caseloads – Does it Change with Overwhelming Caseloads – Does it Change with Transformation?Transformation?

Adopting a Strengths Based Perspective is Not New For Adopting a Strengths Based Perspective is Not New For Many but Long Overdue at a Systems LevelMany but Long Overdue at a Systems Level

Front Line Workers Must Rely on Supervisors to Front Line Workers Must Rely on Supervisors to Support Their Collaborative EffortsSupport Their Collaborative Efforts

An Evaluative Process is Essential to Ensure SuccessAn Evaluative Process is Essential to Ensure Success

Report From the Working GroupReport From the Working Group

4.4. Collaboration and the CommunityCollaboration and the Community

It is imperative to Adopt an Ecological Model in Child It is imperative to Adopt an Ecological Model in Child Protection Practice Protection Practice

Greater System Accountability is Expected at the Greater System Accountability is Expected at the Community LevelCommunity Level

We Must Look at Systemic Issues and Community We Must Look at Systemic Issues and Community Factors Contributing to Risk Beyond the Parent-Child Factors Contributing to Risk Beyond the Parent-Child RelationshipRelationship

Community Collaboration Can Only be Achieved Community Collaboration Can Only be Achieved Through EngagementThrough Engagement

Report of The Working GroupReport of The Working Group

5.5. Enhancing the “Best Practice” and “Philosophical” Enhancing the “Best Practice” and “Philosophical” Commonalities Between CASs and Schools of Social Commonalities Between CASs and Schools of Social WorkWork

There Needs to be Enhanced Collaborative There Needs to be Enhanced Collaborative Relationships Developed with Schools of Social Work Relationships Developed with Schools of Social Work and CASsand CASs

Use Competencies as one Basis for Child Welfare Use Competencies as one Basis for Child Welfare Education in Schools of Social WorkEducation in Schools of Social Work

Develop Mutual Training Opportunities and Educational Develop Mutual Training Opportunities and Educational Upgrading Upgrading

Report From the Working GroupReport From the Working Group

6.6. Research – Grant in Aid ApprovedResearch – Grant in Aid Approved

A three-year Study on “Worker-Parent Engagement” A three-year Study on “Worker-Parent Engagement” and its Impact on Child Safety, Permanency, Child Well and its Impact on Child Safety, Permanency, Child Well Being and Family and Community Support will soon Being and Family and Community Support will soon commence in eight CASs, in cooperation with McMaster commence in eight CASs, in cooperation with McMaster University’s School of Social WorkUniversity’s School of Social Work

Key Concepts to be examined include: Parent Key Concepts to be examined include: Parent Engagement; Worker Engagement; Worker-Parent Engagement; Worker Engagement; Worker-Parent Engagement; Casework Skills; and Child Welfare Engagement; Casework Skills; and Child Welfare OutcomeOutcome

ConclusionConclusion

No project on collaboration could be complete without the consideration No project on collaboration could be complete without the consideration of reconciliation of child welfare with Aboriginal People. The report of reconciliation of child welfare with Aboriginal People. The report comes forth with recommendations in this regard.comes forth with recommendations in this regard.

Over the past two years, over twenty very committed representatives from Over the past two years, over twenty very committed representatives from the field of child welfare and collateral organizations, came together the field of child welfare and collateral organizations, came together on a regular basis to help map out a collaborative intervention model on a regular basis to help map out a collaborative intervention model for child protection services in Ontario. We are indebted to them and for child protection services in Ontario. We are indebted to them and their respective organizations.their respective organizations.

As this project winds down, it is our sincere hope that the leadership As this project winds down, it is our sincere hope that the leadership within the field will embrace the information contained in the report within the field will embrace the information contained in the report and accompanying CD, and will act accordingly.and accompanying CD, and will act accordingly.