Scope of Submissions

The Child Welfare Review Panel in no way intends to limit what is submitted through the written submission process. However, the purpose of the Child Welfare Review is to:

• Identify and examine current child welfare services (prevention, support and protection services) available to children, youth and families across the province;
• Identify and address critical issues relevant to the provision of child welfare services in the province;
• Examine the significant over-representation of First Nations and Métis children and youth in care and address how this disparity could be overcome;
• Explore options and promising practices to improve outcomes for children, youth and families who are receiving or may receive service from the child welfare system.

Themes and Consultation Questions

The following questions have been developed to assist organizations and individuals making submissions to the panel to organize their content.  Each question is focused on one of the six themes of protection, prevention, quality of care, family reunification, permanency, and youth transitions. 

1. What can be done to improve the prevention of child abuse and neglect? What should be done to prevent children and youth from coming into care?
   
   
2. From your perspective, what needs to be done when a child or youth is abused or neglected?
   
   
3. What should be done to improve the experience of children and youth in care?
   
   
4. When a child or youth is in care, what steps need to be taken to return them to their family?
   
   
5. If a child or youth in care cannot return to their own parents, what should be done to support them to grow and develop in a stable, healthy environment?
   
   
6. What should be done to better support youth in care as they become adults?

You may focus your submission on one or more of the six questions. For example, in your submission to the panel, you could focus your / your organization’s discussion around effective approaches that would:

• Support children, youth and families in their communities with a view to preventing the circumstances that lead to children and youth being placed in care;
• Protect children and youth from maltreatment and sexual exploitation;
• Reunify children and youth in care with their families and communities wherever this is in the best interests of the children;
• Improve outcomes for children and youth in care;
• Improve permanency planning for children and youth in care; and
• Transition youth in care to independence as young adults.

Types of Submissions

Your written submission can be presented using a variety of formats. For example, you are encouraged to express your views about the child welfare system through poetry, artwork, lyrics, photo essays or rhyming schemes. Some of these formats may be more suitable for children and youth who have experience in child welfare.  

Deadlines and Logistics for Written Submissions

All submissions must be received by June 20, 2010 in order to ensure the material is part of the panel’s deliberations.

Please limit written material to 10—12 pages and clearly identify the name of your organization at the top of your submission. 

If your submission represents the perspective of an individual, please indicate if you would like to have your name withheld for the public record.  Individuals who provide written submissions should also provide a name and daytime telephone number, in case the panel needs to clarify anything or wishes to follow-up.  

Written submissions would be appreciated in an electronic format, and can be sent as an attachment in an email addressed to questions@saskchildwelfarereview.ca.  Please enter ‘Written Submission’ and the name of your organization in the subject line of the email.

If you are unable to provide your submission electronically, please mail your submission to:

Attn: Joan Hayes
Administrator, Saskatchewan Child Welfare Review Panel
9th Floor – 1920 Broad Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3V6

IMPORTANT: As your written submission may be part of the public record of the Child Welfare Review please ensure the confidentiality of any children, youth or families who may be included in your submission by changing their names and eliminating any identifying information.

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