FREDERICTON (GNB) – The Child Death Review Committee has reviewed the death of a child whose family was known to the Department of Social Development. The committee’s recommendations were released today by Acting Chief Coroner Jérome Ouellette.

The committee reviews the deaths of children under the age of 19, including those who were in the legal care of the minister of Social Development, or whose families were in contact with the department within 12 months before the child's death.

The review concerned a six-month-old boy who died of complications from acute/subacute encephalitis with other significant factors being an unsafe sleep condition, prematurity, and the child being small for his age. The family was receiving services from the Department of Social Development.

The committee made the following recommendations in the case:

  • The Department of Health should be involved in the care of all infants referred to Child Protection Services or born in a family receiving Child Protection Services upon discharge from the hospital.
  • The Department of Social Development should recognize that caseload numbers are critical and therefore the case loads should be lowered to meet the needs of the children under their protection and their families.
  • The Department of Social Development should ensure that, when a medical professional makes a report, this concern needs to be prioritized.
  • When Child Protection Services utilizes the Structured Decision Model, it should be used as a guideline only and should never replace clinical judgement, as a strict adherence to the tool does not automatically conclude in decisions that are in the best interest of the child.
  • When a serious concern is brought to the attention of Child Protection Services by a representative of another professional agency, a new intake assessment should be completed.
  • A newborn child whose family is receiving Child Protection Services should not be discharged from the hospital until a multidisciplinary meeting takes place and all the appropriate services are in place.
  • Best practices allowing for agencies to share relevant information concerning a child should be applied in the intent of promoting the best interest of the child.
  • Following the death of a child, a formal debrief session between the professionals of different agencies involved with a child and their family should take place, and a copy of the minutes should be forwarded to the Child Death Review Committee.
  • When a family does not have the means to bring a child to a medical appointment, Child Protection Services should make every effort to assure transportation for the appointment.

The Child Death Review Committee advises the Office of the Chief Coroner, which is part of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

 

12-11-20