Indigenous Child Welfare Director

In collaboration with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, B.C. is introducing an Indigenous Child Welfare Director (ICWD) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The ICWD is being introduced in response to calls from Indigenous Peoples and will: 

• Provide practice oversight and support for services delivered under the Child, Family and Community Services Act (CFCSA) to Indigenous children and youth, and 
• Work to ensure provincial services operate seamlessly alongside Indigenous laws to uphold Indigenous jurisdiction.  

Throughout spring and summer 2023, MCFD engaged with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people and organizations on their priorities for the ICWD. This feedback is outlined in the ICWD Engagement Summary 2023. (PDF, 309KB)

In early 2024, MCFD engaged with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people on a proposed approach and job profile for the ICWD. We are grateful to partners for sharing their time, energy, and feedback in shaping this new position. The ICWD Spring 2024 Engagement Summary (PDF, 237KB) contains an overview of the feedback gathered during these engagements. 

In March 2024, MCFD brought the ICWD into force in law, in anticipation of posting the ICWD position and beginning the hiring process in spring 2024. The ICWD role was introduced to the Child, Family and Community Services Act in November 2022 through Bill 38, the Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act. 

Feedback gathered during engagements is currently being incorporated into the job profile. The ICWD position is expected to be posted later in April. A link to the job profile will be made available on this webpage as soon as the posting is live.