A longitudinal jurisdictional study of Black children reported to child protection services in Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Empirical research is needed to better understand the overrepresentation faced by Black children receiving child protection services in Canada. This article examines rates of disparity using secondary longitudinal clinical-administrative data provided by a child protection agency in Quebec for a subsample of Black, White, and other visible minority children over a ten-year span. It calculates rates per 1000, a population disparity index (PDI), and a decision-based index (DDI) to determine representation by ethno-racial group across decision-points within the child protection system. Results reveal that while representing 9% of the general population in 2011, Black children represented 24% of children receiving child protection services for the corresponding year. When compared to White children, Black children’s protection reports were five times more likely to be screened in, substantiated, and brought to court. Black children were also five times more likely than White children to enter out-of-home placement. In contrast, other visible minority child protection reports were approximately two times more likely to be screened in than White children protection reports. After which, other visible minority rates of disparity gradually decreased across decision points. These findings demonstrate the need for a jurisdictional analysis when conducting research on service disparities and support an argument for disproportionate need as a factor affecting disparate outcomes.