Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer extended condolences on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan to the family of a child who passed away while in care in 2010, following the release of “No Time for Mark,” a report by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth.
“These lost opportunities – a report filled out after a deadline, a visit missed, a support not put in place – each separately seem like such small things,” Harpauer said. “They aren’t when you look at the system as a whole. In this instance, these missed chances to change outcomes for this family instead contributed to the death of a little boy. I hope that the Government of Saskatchewan’s recognition that our system failed Mark brings a sense of closure for his family.”
The Ministry of Social Services provided a detailed analysis of actions taken over the past five years that meet a number of the Advocate’s recommendations and outlined possible avenues to continue strengthening the child welfare system.
This includes:
•new tools to support staff in working with families;
•updated and strengthened policies on foster home safety requirements;
•increased prevention and in-home supports for families so that they can safely care for their children at home; and
•a continued reduction in the numbers of children brought into care.
“While I’m pleased that the Advocate recognized a number of areas where we have been able to make progress, he also identifies changes that can and should be made,” Harpauer said. “We may be in a much better place today to respond to the needs of children and their families, but we must continue to improve the services and supports we provide to children and families. They need to be of the highest standard possible.”
The Ministry of Social Services will continue to rebuild its relationship with the community, along with Sturgeon Lake Child and Family Services Inc.
“This community has experienced a grieving process that has taken us through anger and sadness many times,” Sturgeon Lake Child and Family Services Executive Director Eleanor Brazeau said. “The legacy of this has been a lot of hard work between our agency and the ministry in the best interests of children. We want to honour all who have suffered in this process and bring closure through a Traditional Feast and Ceremony.”
