N.W.T. plans reforms to child services after scathing report by auditor general
YELLOWKNIFE — The government of the Northwest Territories has delivered a plan for major reforms to child services after a scathing report by the federal auditor general.
“We will make steady, measurable, well-planned, well-executed progress toward improving the performance of the child and family services system of the Northwest Territories,” Bruce Cooper, deputy minister of health and social services, told a legislative committee on Wednesday.
In a report delivered in October, the auditor general’s office found the territory isn’t meeting key responsibilities to protect children in care and the situation is deteriorating.
It found nearly two-thirds of foster homes in the N.W.T. don’t get screening as basic as a criminal record check before receiving children to look after. Auditors found one guardian had been criminally charged with assaulting the child.