Youth protection caseworkers

The main responsibility of youth protection caseworkers is to act in the child’s best interest.

Depending on their training, these professionals may have different titles:

• social workers;
• specialist educators;
• psychoeducators;
• criminologists;
• psychologists;
• social work technicians, etc.

The role of youth protection caseworkers is to ensure the security and development of children.

When a report is received, they must assess the situation to determine if the child’s security or development is compromised. If necessary, they may apply protective measures in accordance with the Youth Protection Act.

These professionals work in collaboration with the children and the people around them, respecting the children’s rights and encouraging their active participation in decisions that affect them.

Caseworkers have several key responsibilities in youth protection:

• Processing reports: receiving information about a child at risk.
• Assessing the situation: analysis of the report and examination of the child’s living conditions to determine if their security or development is compromised.

If necessary, other actions can be taken:

• Direction of measures: choice of actions to be undertaken, whether in a voluntary or judicial framework. A risk assessment must be done for each situation.
• Implementation of protective measures: support for families to correct the problematic situation (for example: mediation, referral to programs or by proposing other solutions).
• Follow up of cases: review of the child’s situation to ensure that the objectives have been achieved and end of the intervention when the situation is no longer problematic.

The caseworkers’ actions are based on the following fundamental principles:

• The child’s interest is at the heart of every decision;
• The child and their parents are actively involved in the process concerning them;
• A collaborative approach is favoured to mobilize all the people concerned;
• Interventions are carried out with respect for the rights, dignity and autonomy of every child.

Youth protection caseworkers support families in difficulty and vulnerable children in order to help keep the child in their family environment, while ensuring their physical and psychological safety.

The goal of the intervention is to mobilize the parents to restore a stable and caring environment, conducive to the child’s well being and development. To achieve this, caseworkers can:

• establish the strengths and capacities of the family and the people around them;
• identify risk factors and the corrective measures to be taken;
• make regular visits to monitor how the situation is evolving;
• develop an intervention plan, if necessary, to establish the actions to be taken.

If the family atmosphere compromises the child’s security or development (for example, if there is violence, neglect or abuse), protective measures are put in place. The temporary removal of the child may be considered to guarantee their safety, while mobilizing the parents to create an environment conducive to the child’s return to their family.

When the family reunification project is risky, the caseworker helps the parents clarify the child’s life plan with the aim of ensuring their physical and emotional stability or preparing their transition to adulthood.

Caseworkers may also work in a rehabilitation centre for young people with adjustment difficulties (CRJDA). In this context, they support young people in their journey. The objective is to promote positive changes in their personal, family and social life.

Youth protection services are provided by qualified staff, based on the needs of children and families.

These professionals have completed specialized studies in their respective fields, including practical internships to supplement their learning, which allows them to gain solid experience with various types of clients.

In order to promote the successful integration of staff as youth protection caseworkers, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux offers an intake, orientation and integration program (in French only). This program offers a personalized approach that includes socialization, supervision, mentoring and skills development activities in a safe and caring environment.