BC’S HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEMS MUST WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
The CBC and other news media recently reported on a Kamloops couple whose three children were removed from their home after they gave shelter to their violent, mentally ill eldest son, who had been in government care since age 13. The only difference between the son living in secure residential care with the 24-hour supervision he required, and being cut loose with no appropriate supports for him or his family, was the fact he ‘aged out’ of the child welfare system and was no longer eligible for care. His parents felt they had no choice but to bring him home. The results were predictable and devastating.
Families are complex, as are the various systems set in place in BC to protect all family members and the communities where we live. Each one of us deserves the help and resources we need to be safe and to thrive. Too often something goes awry as it seems to have done for the family who had to choose between the well being of their younger children and the needs of an older son with significant mental health issues.
The BC Association of Social Workers is the voice of professional social workers in BC, and is committed to advocating on behalf of BC families when unjust social policies put parents or their children at risk of loss or harm.
BCASW also recognizes the very clear and difficult role child protection workers must play when children are deemed at risk. We cannot know the details of this recent particular story; however, some of the issues are clear and go far beyond this one family: safety is essential for all children and adults and government must play key role in ensuring that safety; parents should not have to choose between their children to ensure their collective safety; children who have been receiving essential 24- hour care and supervision must not suddenly be cast adrift simply because they turn 19; families cannot be expected to solve problems on their own that the child welfare or mental health systems find impossible to solve; jail cannot be a substitute for the treatment of mental illness; health and social service ministries and agencies need to collaborate to find solutions for families rather than create or add to the harm.
There may very well have been much hard work and good intention surrounding this family. Still “the system” failed them all. It is time for our government agencies to collaborate and dedicate dollars and expertise creatively and wisely to anticipate and prevent the harm that touched every member of this family and families facing similar dilemmas across this province.
If the issue for government boils down to money, surely it would cost less to provide supportive housing for troubled young adults and keep their siblings out of foster care. Surely it would be cost effective to fund advocacy and legal services to help families navigate the child welfare, mental health, and justice systems effectively. Surely prevention is always the most progressive and cost effective route.
