Stage being set for major child welfare overhaul

REGINA The province is setting the stage for a major overhaul of its child welfare system.

Recent changes made to child welfare and adoption legislation are, according to the province, clearing the way for substantive changes to how the system works.

Some changes already put in place are described as “administrative in nature” while others are meant to improve current supports for children.

The government increased the number of days allowed before an adoption is revoked and is providing clearer guidelines for how children are heard in court.

The executive director of child family programs for the Ministry of Social Services says the phased approach, including the recent changes, is “setting the stage for more substantive changes.”

Since 2012, the province has been reviewing its child welfare system. That review is leading to a “phased approach” of rolling out changes. Some, such as updating legislative language, improving information sharing for case planning and updating funding agreements with First Nations, is already complete.

According to a 2015 policy document obtained by Postmedia News earlier this year, more significant changes are being considered and now appear to be closer on the horizon. That includes a proposition to repeal persons of sufficient interest (PSI) legislation and build a new kinship care framework to offer a balance of responsibility between extended family and government care.

In place since 1989, a person of sufficient interest is defined in a section of the Child and Family Services Act and aims to be designated for a child who is in need of protection.

Now, the government is proposing replacing PSIs with a “kinship care framework” that will offer a “balance of responsibility between extended family and government care.”

“PSIs have presented complex policy, casework and legal challenges for the ministry with respect to the delivery of services and supports to caregivers and the children placed in their care, as well as confusion regarding a designation role as a party of protection hearing with the role as a caregiver,” reads the document.

Another section of the documents proposes changing the age of a child to under the age of 18 years, in order to provide 16- and 17-year-olds protective and support services.