The Office of the Children’s Advocate carries out a review of services after the death of a young person who was, or had been, receiving services through the child welfare system within the year prior to their death.
Purpose
The purpose of a Special Investigation Review is to identify ways in which the programs and services under review may be improved to enhance the safety and well-being of children.
Scope of Review
In conducting the review, the scope goes beyond child and family service agencies to include any publicly funded social service.
“Publicly funded” is defined in The Child and Family Services Act as follows:
“… a program or service is publicly funded if it is operated or provided by the government or by an organization that receives funding from the government for the program or service.”
Review Process
An investigator from the Office of the Children’s Advocate Special Investigations Review Unit begins by collecting and compiling relevant information. This involves carrying out related background research, reviewing files and reports, and interviewing involved individuals/service providers. Sources of information may include the following:
Child and family service agencies
Publicly funded social service records/files
Police reports
Fire commissioner reports
Hospital and medical records
School records
Private therapists, counsellors, clinics or other treatment centres.
Individuals who knew the child or who may have information about service delivery, which can include community sources and family members
The Investigator completes an analysis of the information that includes comparing actual services provided to those set out in Provincial Program Standards and best practices. Based on the Investigation, the Children’s Advocate may make recommendations for improvement to child welfare agencies and publicly funded social services.
A copy of the confidential report, containing review findings and recommendations, is provided to the Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs, the Manitoba Ombudsman, and the Chief Medical Examiner. A summary of the recommendations is made public through the Children’s Advocate annual report.
Special Investigation Reviews
The Office of the Children’s Advocate carries out a review of services after the death of a young person who was, or had been, receiving services through the child welfare system within the year prior to their death.
Purpose
The purpose of a Special Investigation Review is to identify ways in which the programs and services under review may be improved to enhance the safety and well-being of children.
Scope of Review
In conducting the review, the scope goes beyond child and family service agencies to include any publicly funded social service.
“Publicly funded” is defined in The Child and Family Services Act as follows:
“… a program or service is publicly funded if it is operated or provided by the government or by an organization that receives funding from the government for the program or service.”
Review Process
An investigator from the Office of the Children’s Advocate Special Investigations Review Unit begins by collecting and compiling relevant information. This involves carrying out related background research, reviewing files and reports, and interviewing involved individuals/service providers. Sources of information may include the following:
Individuals who knew the child or who may have information about service delivery, which can include community sources and family members
The Investigator completes an analysis of the information that includes comparing actual services provided to those set out in Provincial Program Standards and best practices. Based on the Investigation, the Children’s Advocate may make recommendations for improvement to child welfare agencies and publicly funded social services.
A copy of the confidential report, containing review findings and recommendations, is provided to the Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs, the Manitoba Ombudsman, and the Chief Medical Examiner. A summary of the recommendations is made public through the Children’s Advocate annual report.