Child and Youth Care Practice in Child Protection

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:

• An examination of current issues in child protection should include an exploration of personal and professional values
• Child and youth care practice in child protection includes an ecological and strengths-based perspective
• Child welfare practice is based on guiding principles that contain value statements and assumptions about the needs of children, youth and families. As child and youth care workers examine these values and assumptions, they develop an understanding of the meaning of their work, an ability to evaluate current policy and an informed opinion from which to engage in the change process
• Given the legacy and impact of colonization, many Aboriginal individuals and families experience a sense of grief and loss. Recognition of the impact of loss on Aboriginal peoples is a starting place for working with individuals and families.  Culturally appropriate practices and approaches to wellness provide a sense of hope and help individuals and families discover new possibilities for the future
• Child and youth care practitioners work in and with a variety of systems that include Aboriginal and mainstream services. An understanding of relevant systems and an ability to collaborate with other systems is an essential aspect of effective practice
• Effective practice includes a working understanding of applicable laws and policies related to child protection