Introduction
Overview
The purpose of the Ontario Child Protection Standards (2016) is to promote consistently high quality, responsive service delivery to children and families receiving child protection services from Children’s Aid Societies (CASs) across the province. High quality and responsive child protection services are focused on producing positive outcomes in the areas of child safety, permanency and well-being, while simultaneously demonstrating accountability for decisions made and services provided in keeping with the expected level of performance set by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS). The standards are the mandatory framework within which child protection services are to be delivered. They clarify expectations regarding the minimum level of performance for child protection workers, supervisors and CASs, and create a norm that reflects a desired level of achievement.
The 2016 Standards guide the child protection professional in his/her practice at each phase of service delivery, starting from the receipt of a referral and eligibility determination, through the investigative phase of service, case transfer, ongoing service case management, and finally, the closing of a child protection case. The Standards also include requirements with respect to supervision that occurs throughout the different phases of service. The first standard, new in 2016, outlines practice standards relevant to all the phases of child protection service that are described in this document.
The 2016 Standards replace the Child Protection Standards in Ontario (February 2007). They are consistent with the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) and its regulations and should be applied in keeping with the paramount purpose and the other purposes of the CFSA (see CFSA s.1(1-2)). O. Reg 206/00, “Procedures, Practices and Standards of Service for Child Protection Cases” requires CASs to use the Standards, and the Standards are consistent with the legislated requirements in the regulation.
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