An Anti-Oppression (AO) Framework for Child Welfare in Ontario, Canada: Possibilities for Systemic Change

Abstract

This article presents the development and potential use of a method of bringing systemic change to a mandated institution such as the Children's Aid Society in Ontario, Canada, while taking into account the many challenges to realising progressive change in child welfare practice. The authors explore whether systemic change is possible given contemporary child welfare's manifold standardised procedures, including risk and safety assessment and legal reporting requirements. The second author discusses his viewpoint and experiences as a member of the Anti-Oppression Roundtable, and outlines its work as a catalyst for critical review of practices and processes. The authors describe the genesis and development of the Anti-Oppression Framework for Child Welfare in Ontario and provide an example to show how it can be used as an important strategic tool to try to bring systemic change to the child welfare system. The article concludes by reviewing some of the challenges in choosing to take this path of implementing an AO framework in the face of increasing criticism directed to child welfare agencies.