Quebec to change standard of practice for workers evaluating youth protection cases

Quebec’s Health and Social Services Ministry will implement new guidelines for workers evaluating cases in youth protection (DPJ).

According to LaPresse, the main changes will affect DPJ social workers who will have 21 calendar days to let parents know if their child’s safety or development is considered compromised.

Current standards state that parents have to be informed of a compromising situation within 12 working days.

This new change will allot more time for social workers to make their evaluation, since the “unofficial” standard in the DPJ is around 45 days, according to the main union for social workers with the DPJ.

There are currently a thousand positions vacant at the DPJ across Quebec, including 200 at the evaluation level.

The government hasn’t revised its youth protection standard of practice in over 30 years.

The changes are expected to take effect by the end of September.