OXFORD COUNTY

EMS PRESENTATION

CAS Mandate

• Ensure the protection, well-being and best interests of children

• Support and educate Families– To improve parent capacity

What EMS and CAS have In Common

People in difficult situations who need assistance

Agenda

• Transformation philosophy• Duty to report• Moving Through The System• Questions

A New Direction

What we do has not changed How we do it is changing

Investigations

Ongoing Support

Resource Placements

Education

Goals setting

Service Planning

Access

Differential Response

Focus on Permanency

Strength Based Approach

Evidence Informed Practice

Assessing Present Practice

Evaluation of Outcomes

Adjust when needed

We all share a responsibility to protect children from harm – a responsibility that extends to those situations where children suffer abuse and neglect in their own homes. This applies to any child who is, or appears to be, under the age of sixteen years and/or a child subject to a child protection order between 16 and 17 years old

Reporting Child Abuse &Neglect

What are “reasonable grounds”

• It is not necessary for you to be certain the child is or maybe in need of protection to make a report to a children’s aid society.

• “Reasonable grounds” refers to the information that an average person, exercising normal and honest judgment, would need in order to make the decision to report

Professionals have a special responsibility

• The CFSA recognizes that people working closely with children have a special awareness of the signs of child abuse and neglect, and a particular responsibility to report their suspicions.

• Failing to report a suspicion that a child is or maybe in need of protection is liable on conviction to a fine of up to $1,000.00, if they obtained the information on which that suspicion is based in the course of their professional or official duties CFSA s.72 (4) and (the 6.2)

Moving Through The System

• The Referral– Gather the information

• What happened• Where did it happen

• Why are you calling now• How do you know the information

– Engage referral source to assist

Decision Making

• Eligibility Spectrum– Mandated to intervene --Sect 37(2) CFSA

• Response Time– Within 24 hrs/7 days– Consideration of child’s vulnerability (age)– Immediate risk

Investigation Plan

• Traditional vs Customized Investigation• Time line• Who to interview and where• Worker Safety Concerns

Safety Assessment

• Immediate safety threats to the child• Determinations

– SAFE– SAFE with intervention (Safety planning)– NOT SAFE

Risk AssessmentStrength and Needs Assessment

• Tools to Assess – other factors that may create risk– family strengths and needs

Verification

• Did the alleged maltreatment occur?• Are there other concerns that came to light

– Mental health/Drugs/Dom violence/Neglect

Determination

• Close file• Community Link• Open to ongoing services

– Service agreement/Court Involvement• Supervision order/Apprehension

• Prior to apprehension we must attempt to place with kin

Over Riding ObjectivePermanency For Children in a Safe Home

• Stay with or reunify with family• Placement with kin• Adoption• Long-term foster care

92 Light St, Woodstock, On, N4S 6H1

519-539-6176/1-800-250-7010

FAX: 519-421-0123