Workplan Guiding Principles

These principles will be used by the Implementation Team to ensure that the workplan is consistent with the objectives of the new governance model, demonstrably strengthens the child and family services system, and furthers the application of best practice approaches most likely to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

The workplan must be consistent with the following two principles:

1. Respect for the spirit of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry – Child Welfare Initiative (AJI-CWI) – the Changes for Children workplan will demonstrate respect for the spirit, intent and longer term objectives of the AJI-CWI.
2. Clear linkages to child welfare – the workplan will clearly demonstrate how the capacity of the child and family service system will be strengthened and ensure that vulnerable children, youth, families and communities who require, or are likely to require, service are the primary beneficiaries.

In addition, the workplan will also advance one or more of the following principles:

1. Reconciliation: increased understanding and mutual respect – the workplan will demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of families, communities and service delivery systems and will foster working relationships that adhere to the concept of reconciliation in child and family services.
2. Evidence based – the workplan will be grounded in the best and most current available evidence derived from research, proven practice and other sources known to result in positive outcomes for children, youth and families.
3. Child safety and child and family well-being – the workplan will recognize that child safety, enhancement of family and child well-being remain of paramount consideration.
4. Strengths-based and resilience focus – the workplan will encourage the use of strength-based approaches in service delivery, positive resilience strategies, and, through collaborative decision-making, promote the self-determination and empowerment of children youth and families.
5. Systems integration – the workplan will demonstrate a holistic approach by encouraging integration with existing programs and systems and by promoting multi-sectoral partnerships. To the degree possible, the workplan must address existing inequities within Federal, Aboriginal, Provincial and Municipal initiatives.
6. Community-based – the workplan will encourage partnerships with community by building the capacity of existing networks, fostering new networks and providing opportunity for community members to participate in strategies to improve the delivery of child welfare services.
7. Inclusion of culture – the workplan will respect traditions, language and values of children, youth and families.
8. Accessibility and equity – the workplan will promote greater accessibility for services to all children, youth and families throughout the province for whom there is a need.
9. Continuous quality for improvement – the workplan will promote a culture of organizational excellence aimed at continual assessment of how the system is doing, utilizing performance indicators and current research to inform and refresh best practice.
10. Supported work force – the Changes for Children implementation and plan will prioritize a supported work force by advancing effective training and skill development strategies, promoting programs designed to mitigate workplace stresses and embracing the known best practice goals of manageable workloads and increased time available for face-to-face contact with children, youth and families.