First Steps
What’s the difference between FDR vs INV?
Essentially, it boils down to collaborative vs. non-collaborative. Under an INV status, MCFD is able to complete tasks and gather any information without consent of the parents to ensure the safety of the child (within reason and without abuse of power). In FDR, we need collaboration and consent.
How often should you been connecting with a family on your caseload while they are in ongoing services, either under an incident's service phase or as part of family services?
at least once a month!
Just because we have families participating in services, doesn't mean that we shouldn't be connecting with them too.
this monthly check-in could also include connecting with service providers.
When does the interim plan of care need to be created by, the first annual care plan, and how often does a review happen?
The interim care plan needs to be completed within 30 days of a child entering care.
Annual Care Plans are completed 1x a year, and need to be completed within the first six months of being in care.
Review care plans occur every six months (midpoint of the annual care plan).
Why is it important to document clear, up-to-date, notes in narrative form in your incident (give 2 reasons)?
Please try to have your notes inputted, at least a synopsis, no later than a day or two after the interaction occurred!
Tell us about our dress code... and how does it change for court?
There actually is no formal dress code, but it's classified as "business casual". This includes no low-cut tops, no spaghetti straps w/out a cover up, no crop tops, no dresses, skirts, or shorts that are too short, no sweat-suits (athleisure needs to look professional - not gym clothes + shoes).
For court, we go to "business professional". Closed toe shoes, shoulders covered, nothing too short, no athleisure, no jeans, etc. etc.
Reminder: if you wear open-toed shoes, you will not be covered by WorkSafe BC if something happens.
When are we allowed to release the information of a Caller?
NEVER!
(actually, there may be exemptions to this, like when we make a police report and we ask the Caller if they would be open to speaking to police -- but always make sure to consult about this!)
Explain what “service” means in terms of court and how do you do it?
Giving the court documentation to everyone considers as a party to proceeding (parents, caregivers, children over 12) as per the timelines of court. Examples of how it can be completed include: providing the documents in person, emailing if a Form 8 is completed, serving lawyers via fax or email, substitutional service (approved by court through an affidavit)
What is the purpose of family plan and how often does it need to be created?
A Family Plan identifies goals for the family to address in order for MCFD to end their involvement (goals pertain to mitigating the child protection concerns).
Typically, Family Plans are created on a 6 month cycle, but may be re-evaluated each time there is a new report, a change in circumstance, etc.
What type of consent do we need for collaterals?
Verbal consent for family and friends. Written consent for professionals (doctors, counsellors, probation officer, D&A counsellor). These written consents need to be filled out properly, with clear information about what we will be asking about.
*** it's always best practice to get written consent regardless, especially on family service when we're working with parents whose children are not in their care ***
What should you have in your "black binder" at all times?
Consent to Collect, Consent to Disclose, Safety Plans, Prior Contact Checks, Consent for Criminal Record Checks, your business card, phone numbers for Parents Legal Centre + Complaints Line, resources for families/youth (Youth Black Book), note pad :)
Name 3 times as per policy when you need to consult during an incident (there’s many)
ISA/safety plan, changing FDR to INV, not contacting the parents before seeing a child, pulling medical records from health authority, referring the family for an FCPC, extending the assessment phase past 30 days, creation of a family plan, extending the service phase past 4 months, ending the file, initiating court involvement and/or removing a child... any time you need help or have a question!
What does it mean to “lose jurisdiction” with court?
You have not completed your tasks required for MCFD to continue having legal rights over a child/situation. This means that you need to start again from the beginning.. which could mean re-removing a child and having their timeline start again.
What do you need to know before entering an FCPC/collaborative meeting?
** don't forget, if you're creating a Family Plan as part of your FCPC, you need your TL's approval before it's signed **
What is section 96 and who can we get it from?
Section 96 is the Director's Right for Information, which allows delegated workers to request information to a public body – with or without consent (would need to be in INV mode if getting information without consent). Examples: health care, school board, ICBC, pharmacare, police... DOES NOT include private medical clinics, many addiction clinics..
** we have to be conscious of what information we're gathering and the reason we are doing it **
Section 96 requests for police records and for medical records both have specific forms we need to use on iConnect.
How quickly should you be responding to contact from clients, service providers, duty messages (this is MCFD's standard)?
24hrs! MCFD's general rule of thumb is that we need to be replying within 24hrs, even if it's just to acknowledge that we got the message and will get back to the person.
What tool do you need to reference/use in your incidents that have elements of Intimate Partner Violence + how do you capture this in your response tab?
BC Summary of Domestic Violence Risk Factors!!
If an audit occurs, they want to see it formally written out for each section. Keep this in mind when you're interviewing.
Don't forget, there are practice guidelines to reference for support in how to manage incidents and cases that have IPV in them.
What is a Reportable Circumstance and when is it completed?
A Reportable Circumstance is a report that records concerning events for children and youth involved with MCFD (whether that be a family who was receiving service in the last 12 months, all the way to a child or youth in care). This allows for public accountability, collaboration, and oversight.
RCs are completed for critical injuries, fatalities, and serious incidents for CICs, OOCs, or YAGs.
Identify 3 things you need to review with a parent when signing a safety plan (there’s many)
What could be considered as less intrusive measures?
A whole bunch of things... but could range from anything between safety planning to accepting a family's plan to holding a CPDM process to our more formal family plans to voluntary supports to supervision order
How often do you need to have clinical supervision and what is its purpose?
At least once a month (as per policy). The whole point of Supervision goes beyond case review.. it also includes reviewing your learning, goals, challenges, trainings, how you're coping, etc.
When do we get "the other parent" involved when there are split households?
- with consent of the Key Player parent we're working with (we should be asking to talk to the other parent as a collateral if possible)
- if we need to safety plan the child out of the home of the Key Player
- if there are immediate safety risks involved for the child and we need a protective parent
** key things to keep in mind include concerns on intimate partner violence, power dynamics, and FLA court - best to consult before we contact the other parent **
What are the total timelines for children in care that are permitted in the Temporary Custody Order stage (which are the same as an EFP)?
0-2 years old = 1 year
5-12 years old = 1.5 years
12+ years old = 2 years
When do you start con-current planning for a child in care?
Right away :)
If a child is leaving their home, either through a legal removal or voluntarily (VCA, EFP), we should be collecting information for concurrent planning from the get-go (names of family members, contact information, etc.). When a child is under our care through a TCO, we can start the formal family find process.
Explain the difference between the Child, Family, and Community Service Act and Chapter 3?
The Child, Family, and Community Service Act is our provincial legislation that gives us the legal rights to complete our work (so when someone says to you, what right do you have to do x, y, z, we explain it through this). Chapter 3 is our child protection response policy of how we complete our work (step by step answers of how we move forward).
What resources do you have available to you in order to continue practicing Reconciliation and furthering your cultural agility?
- Elders teachings
- Truth and Reconciliation Committee
- Aboriginal Policy and Practice Framework (APPF) + Resource Guide
- search "Indigenous Learning" on iConnect for many resources!
- attend community events and conferences