Child Welfare Practice Audits

Practice audits are conducted regularly by practice analysts in the Quality Assurance branch of the Provincial Director of the Child Welfare and Aboriginal Services division across several of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) services and for services provided by an Indigenous Child and Family Service (ICFS) Agency (also known as a Delegated Aboriginal Agency). These practice audits inform continuous improvements in policy, practice and overall service delivery. They provide quality assurance oversight and demonstrate public accountability.

Process

Practice audits are conducted for specific areas of practice, including child safety, family service, adoption, and community youth justice. These practice audits are based on a review of electronic and paper records in a random sample of files. The practice audit methodology and size of each sample ensure that the results provide a reasonably accurate assessment of practice across the Service Deliver Area (SDA) or the province

At times, the team conducts special audits of specific services. The practice audit measures, tools and guides are developed in consultation with subject matter experts across several MCFD divisions and branches.

The strengths and challenges of the audit are reviewed with the management team and an action plan is developed to support areas for growth. The goals and activities in the action plan are monitored for implementation by the Quality Assurance Branch.

Service Delivery Area Practice Audits