Identity-based data collection

A trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach to data collection recognizes the importance of addressing power, privilege, and fear when engaging with service users.

To address the power differential and other issues, child welfare workers can employ a number of strategies for collecting data in a sensitive, respectful, and anti-oppressive manner. Children's Aid Societies may also want to consider engaging community groups and organizations to better understand the multiple identity factors that compound discrimination, and to get their support in helping communities understand the purpose behind child welfare data collection.

• Be sensitive to and address any potential concerns about disclosing information by communicating why data is being collected and how it will be used
• When concerns are shared, validate service users by letting them know their concerns have been noted
• Disrupt power dynamics and build trust by thanking people for their time, introducing yourself, and identifying your preferred pronoun
• Establish consent by ensuring children, youth, and caregivers are fully informed and understand they can withdraw consent at any time
• Let service users know you can provide assistance if needed and clarity on what the questions and categories refer to
• Ask service users if they have any specific needs or barriers to answering the questions (for example, literacy issues, disability, English as a second language)
• Provide a copy of questions from the data standard to service users to read and review; make this available in multiple formats (e.g. larger font size) and multiple languages as needed

• Don’t rush the service user and provide options to pause or stop
• Remind service users of their right to skip any question by selecting “Prefer not to answer”
• Communicate that you work with all kinds of people with diverse identities, including those who may be LGBTQ2S+, and that you want them to feel supported and respected for who they are
• Avoid making assumptions and respect and accept how people self-identify. For example, you cannot tell someone's gender identity just by looking at them or knowing their name