Justice Reform Initiatives ~ Early Solutions, Faster Justice

Family Justice Reform Projects

Child Protection Mediation Program Established

The Ministry of Children and Family Development and Ministry of Attorney General partnered in 1997 to establish the Child Protection Mediation Program. Where there is a disagreement between MCFD and parents or other persons concerning the safety and well-being of a child the parties can agree to use mediation to resolve issues, rather than go to court. Common issues include:

• what services the family will receive and participate in as part of a plan of care,
• the length of time the child will be in the ministry's care,
• the amount and form of access parents or others have with the child,
• the specific terms of a supervision or access order, and
• other matters relating to the care or welfare of the child.

A roster of specially qualified and experienced child protection mediators is administered by the Dispute Resolution Office of the Ministry of Attorney General. Child protection mediation training and experience is available in a structured practicum setting for mediators in aboriginal and remote communities through the BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society.

Settlement rates in this program are very high. In 2006/07, approximately 535 child protection mediations were completed; in 77% of cases all issues were settled, and in 96% all or some issues were settled.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development is committed to a presumption in favour of collaborative dispute resolution processes, such as mediation and family group conferencing, as a first choice for child welfare decisionmaking, rather than proceedings in Provincial Court.

For more information about the Child Protection Mediation Program, visit the Dispute Resolution Office website or the Ministry of Children and Family Development website.

For the child protection roster, please see the Mediator Roster Society website.