English - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

What are the strengths of this family
> What are the risks to this family How can we address them
> How can we support this family
> How can we engage this family
> > Have formal and informal community service workers go with child
welfare professionals in the home visits
> > Have formal and informal community service workers involved in
investigations
> > Pass the file on to the family service workers right after the investigations
> > Involve other relevant workers (e.g. FASD worker, perinatal worker, housing
staff, or anyone else working to help the family) early in the process
> > Develop the service plan with the family and call it a family plan
> > Identify the key worker that will be the lead and review the family’s progress
“I felt welcome and that I was an OK
person. I was offered programs and food
and interest and kindness. The workers
really care about my child.”
- Focus group participant
G. PRACTICE: BUILD A RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
FAMILY AND EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
Whether focus group participants had worked with
an Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal CAS, they consistently
expressed fear about the mandated nature of the child
welfare services. While a service user’s fear may not
disappear, it can diminish by developing respectful
relationships with families. Ideally, child welfare
professionals and families will form a partnership,
working together to heal the family.
DON’T USE PREVIOUS CHILD WELFARE HISTORY AGAINST THE FAMILY
Some families may have the perception that child welfare uses previous CAS
involvement against an individual currently involved with CAS. Focus group
participants felt that child welfare professionals assumed that parents who had
grown up in CAS care were likely unable to care for their own children. It is important
to find a way to discuss the previous care experience in a respectful way and assess
the strengths and shortcomings of the experience in relation to the current situation.
LANGUAGE
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For many Ontario residents, English is not their first language, or their literacy level
is lower than average. Child welfare professionals need to consider an individual’s
comprehension level when developing service plans or providing family members
with written material that sets out conditions or guidelines.