The evolution of child intervention practice: The Alberta experience

Alberta’s Child and Youth Services is working with community partners and professionals to implement a practice framework to support child intervention workers in their day-to-day interactions and decision making with... [ view full abstract ]

Alberta’s Child and Youth Services is working with community partners and professionals to implement a practice framework to support child intervention workers in their day-to-day interactions and decision making with children and families. The framework builds upon current leading approaches and research, and recognizes initiatives and projects that are paving the way to changing how child intervention staff work with children, youth and families.

The framework is a natural and evolutionary next step that helps child intervention workers to connect philosophy, legislation and policy with day-to-day practice. The evolution of child intervention in Alberta to a principle-based practice has occurred in several progressive steps, starting with the Alberta Response Model in 2001, continuing with the development of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act in 2004 and leading to the introduction of the Casework Practice Model in 2006. Building upon initiatives, such as Collaborative Service Delivery and Signs of Safety, the framework continues to highlight the importance of having clear values and guiding principles to ensure the safety and well-being of all Alberta’s children, youth and families.