B.C. not meeting the needs of most vulnerable children in care: watchdog report

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s children’s watchdog says just five per cent of the care plans she’s reviewed for some of the province’s most vulnerable children meet ministry guidelines.

Independent children’s representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is calling on the Liberal government to make key changes to improve care plans for those children.

Turpel-Lafond’s audit of files for 100 children in government care found scattered and ineffective plans for the children, with few meeting government guidelines.

Her report makes 10 recommendations, including calling on the Ministry of Children and Family Development to invest enough resources to enforce its own planning standards.

She also suggests changes to social workers’ hours to make it easier for them to work with children and families.

Children’s Minister Stephanie Cadieux is expected to comment on the report later today.