Newfoundland’s child advocate probes system’s role in abuse, suicide cases

She says in a news release one case involved an 18-year-old who committed suicide while residing in a group home and receiving services from the regional health authority and the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.

Chafe says in another incident, several children were physically and sexually abused by their parents despite their cases being overseen by provincial agencies.

In a third case, the advocate says she will look at what happened to a 16-year-old girl with complex mental health needs whose health deteriorated while in a group home, prior to her move to another location.

The fourth case involves a young child who was placed in an alternate care arrangement by the social development department for a lengthy period of time, and “concerns” were identified with the services provided and the lack of a permanent home for the child.

The investigations will also look at the involvement of police services, the departments of Health and Justice, the English school district, and the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

Chafe says the probes are being added to a list of other cases already being looked at.

Her office is already conducting six previously called investigations which involved two deaths and four critical incidents involving eighteen children.

“We can and must do better,” said Chafe in her announcement.

“We can no longer accept that ‘change takes time’; action must be taken immediately to make that ‘change now’. We must ensure that not one more child or youth suffers because their right to services is not upheld.”

The advocate said one of the most recent cases was reported by the department, but other cases are arising through family reports or media stories.

Her office has had a “verbal agreement” since September 2014 with the department of social development that it will notify her office of deaths and serious incidents.

Chafe has asked for the Child and Youth Advocate Act to be amended to ensure mandatory reporting by all government departments and agencies of critical incidents and deaths of children and youth receiving services.

— Story by Michael Tutton in Halifax

Follow @mtuttoncporg on Twitter.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Newfoundland’s child advocate probes system’s role in abuse, suicide cases

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