Identity-based data collection

Children's Aid Societies (CAS) will collect identity-based data directly from children and youth who are the subject of a child protection investigation; are in receipt of ongoing services (including services to children and youth who are in care); or are in receipt of Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) or Renewed Youth Supports (RYS).

If the child or youth does not have capacity to consent, CASs will collect data from their parent.

CASs will collect identity-based data using the Identity-based Data Standard developed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. This ensures that the data collected by CASs across the province and other programs and services will be reliable, usable, and comparable.

CASs may make the following exceptions when using the standard:

• Gender identity - not required to collect for ages 0-7 years
• Sexual orientation - not required to collect for ages 0-7 years
• Marital status - not required to collect for ages 0-15 years
• Family status - not required to collect for ages 0-12 years

CASs will collect identity-based data:

• Where a child protection investigation is newly opened following the effective date of this directive, during the investigation, prior to the investigation’s completion; or
• Where the case was opened to investigation or ongoing service prior to the effective date of this directive, at the first reasonable opportunity, or at minimum at the first service plan review; or
• Where a child was in care prior to the effective date of this directive, at the first reasonable opportunity (e.g. as part of plan of care meetings, as part of conducting the Assessment Action Record, or as part of the youth plan meetings if youth are in receipt of Continued Care and Support for Youth).

To ensure data is accurate and continues to reflect the identity of the child or youth, CASs will also confirm data collected on a regular basis (annually at minimum). At any time, a child or youth may also also request a correction to their identity-based information.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has provided a number of guiding principles in policy directive CW005-17 that relate to how identity-based data is to be collected:

• Data collection will be based on voluntary participation and self-reporting, not inference or observation
• Data will be collected in as standardized a way as possible. This includes asking questions in the order they are listed and in one sitting
• Data will be collected in a way that respects the privacy and confidentiality of children and youth. Data will also be securely stored using CPIN
• Data will be collected in a sensitive, respectful, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive manner