Child and Youth Advocate highlights successes and challenges in annual report
The 2018 Saskatchewan Youth Child Advocate report was released this week, highlighting some of the struggles and successes seen in the province over the past year.
Saskatchewan’s Advocate for Children and Youth is an officer independent from the provincial or federal governments who lobbies, investigates and educates the public on behalf of those under 18. While the report outlined the advocate’s priorities for the year to come, it also pointed out several critical issues.
According to the report, the advocate’s office fielded calls from many people who were dissatisfied with the conduct of workers assigned to them. Complainants reported being “subjected to disrespectful behaviours,” or having limited contact with children in care. Lack of visitation with biological family, lack of services and supports, as well as concerns with the quality of care being provided in foster homes and youth care homes were also noted in the report.
In total, reports about the Ministry of Social Services made up 63 percent of the calls the Saskatchewan Child and Youth Advocate fielded in 2017. First Nations Child and Family Service groups made up 15 percent of calls in the same year.