“SAFE WITH INTERVENTION” – REPORT OF THE EXPERT PANEL ON THE DEATHS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS SEPTEMBER 2018.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CORONER
In the first six months of 2017, five young people died in residential placements. All of the young people were in the care of a Children’s Aid Society or Indigenous Child Wellbeing Society (Society), and all of them struggled with mental health challenges. The OCC identified a group of 12 deaths of young people in the care of a Children’s Aid Society or Indigenous Child Wellbeing Society (Society) that occurred while they were in residential placements between January 1, 2014 and July 31, 2017. All of the young people had a history of mental health challenges. 8 of them were Indigenous.
To inform the investigation of the deaths and provide an opportunity for recommendations to prevent further deaths, the OCC established the Expert Panel on the Deaths of Children and Youth in Residential Placements (Panel). The Panel was tasked with:
- reviewing and assessing the services and supports provided to the 12 young people;
- identifying any commonalities and/or trends arising out of the review and assessment of the deaths;
- identifying any systemic issues or concerns arising out of the review and assessment of the deaths;
- providing expert opinion on the extent to which current and forthcoming plans, activities, legislation, regulations, policies and practices, including the activities outlined in Safe and Caring Places for Children and Youth: Ontario’s Blueprint for Building a New System of Licensed Residential Services and initiatives underway in the child welfare and children’s mental health sectors address any issues or concerns identified; and
- making recommendations that may assist in preventing further deaths.
The Panel developed five recommendations they believe would make a fundamental difference to Ontario’s young people and the overall burden on Ontario’s social service system – now and over the longer-term.