Child welfare officials have consistently expressed concerns over the handling of abuse investigations by child welfare agencies, citing issues such as failure to interview key witnesses and jeopardizing criminal investigations, as revealed in documents acquired by CBC News. These documents, which are quarterly foster home reports obtained through freedom of information laws, document abuse investigations involving foster homes conducted by Child and Family Services (CFS) agencies. Each investigation summary is reviewed by Manitoba’s Child and Family Services provincial investigation unit.
The 67-page document discloses the frequency of abuse allegations investigated by the agencies each quarter, along with brief notes on the province’s assessments. The reports underscore government officials’ repeated emphasis on the investigative practices of CFS agencies concerning child abuse allegations within foster homes over several years.
Covering the period from July 2021 to the end of 2024, the reports indicate that the province’s CFS investigations unit reviewed 135 child abuse investigations. Specifically, in the examination of seven child abuse investigations by Winnipeg, Rural, and Northern CFS in 2023, the reports revealed various shortcomings:
– The agency concluded investigations before interviewing the alleged offender.
– Lack of documentation to validate follow-up on concerns or ensuring every child was seen.
– Negative impact on the integrity of investigations due to the agency’s interview practices.
While the documents do not specify the type of abuse investigated or provide detailed incidents, the findings have raised concerns among officials and stakeholders. Jamie Pfau, President of the Manitoba Foster Parent Association, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the findings, attributing such issues to underfunded and unsupported systems within Manitoba’s child welfare services.
With over 8,900 children in care under CFS according to the latest annual report, the Winnipeg, northern, and rural agency, under the General Child and Family Services Authority, has acknowledged training deficits among agency staff. CEO Jay Rodgers mentioned the development of a two-day abuse investigation training program that can be administered by the agencies to address these concerns.
The spotlight on children in care intensified following a recent incident where a child in foster care was hospitalized in critical condition with life-altering injuries. Winnipeg police charged the foster mother, 25, with aggravated assault, assault, and failure to provide the necessaries of life, while a 26-year-old man identified as the foster father faces charges of failing to provide the necessaries of life.
Sherry Gott, Manitoba’s advocate for children and youth, drew parallels with past tragedies like Phoenix Sinclair’s case, emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding children under care. The lack of details on the recent incident involving the foster parents’ arrests and their interactions with CFS prior to the event has left many questions unanswered.
Amidst these concerns, the Child and Family All Nations Emergency Co-ordinated Response Network (ANCR) faced scrutiny in a 2024 report, highlighting lapses in handling child-abuse investigations. Issues included delayed investigations, premature conclusions, inadequate risk assessments, and deviations from best practices, reflecting a need for enhanced protocols.
Despite the challenges, Lorna Hanson, deputy director of the province’s Child Protection Branch, emphasized the importance of continuous improvement in the child welfare system. Transitioning from manual to electronic reporting systems and providing training on various aspects of abuse investigations are steps taken to address deficiencies and ensure better outcomes for children in care.