Yukon committee calls for urgent action following child welfare audit

A non-partisan committee of Yukon MLAs says it’s “not convinced” the Department of Health and Social Services has sufficiently considered recommendations from a scathing Auditor General’s report on its Child and Family Services branch – and is calling for quick action to address ongoing concerns. The statement stems from a new report released by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts – made up of MLAs from the territory’s three parties – which includes 20 recommendations to bolster follow-up and accountability following a March 2026 audit. The report outlines seven “critical areas” that it says require further attention, including group home policies; staff training; staffing shortages; critical incident reporting; challenges in smaller communities; data collection; and monitoring outcomes. Its recommendations include departmental updates on the targeted hiring of First Nation social workers, staffing levels and critical incidents, as well as a timeline for updating group home policies. The committee also wants the department to update its case management system to “clearly reflect and make accessible whether caregivers of children currently in care were themselves in government care, attended residential schools, or have a history of abuse.” It further calls on the department to “make efforts” to involve children, families and caregivers so their perspectives and experiences are meaningfully incorporated. The March 2026 audit paints a grim picture of child welfare in the territory. Deputy auditor general Andrew Hayes said at the time of the audit’s release that the Yukon government was falling short in protecting the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and families, especially Indigenous children. The report, which reviewed records from late 2022 to March 31, 2025, highlighted issues that Hayes called “concerning.” The audit found the department failed to evaluate the need for protective intervention within the mandated 24-hour window in 37 per cent of child harm allegations. In cases where assessments identified the need for further investigation, the department did not complete investigations within the required 30 days in 41 per cent of cases it reviewed. It further highlighted systemic gaps in cases involving home screening before children could be placed with extended family or in foster homes. It noted criminal record checks were not completed for all adults in extended family homes in 22 per cent of the cases it reviewed. The Council of Yukon First Nations told APTN News at the time that 98 per cent of children in care in the territory are Indigenous. Read More: Audit finds ‘serious gaps’ in Yukon’s child welfare system  The audit’s recommendations include improving compliance monitoring, reviewing staffing levels and collaborating with Indigenous partners to complete cultural plans for Indigenous children in care – all of which the government has accepted. The committee, which is mandated to examine the administration of public programs and services, including recommendations made by the Auditor General, held a public hearing on the matter in May. “The Public Accounts Committee expects to see further progress on addressing the issues highlighted by the Auditor General’s report,” the committee said, noting there could be more public hearings in the future. A press release states the report will be tabled in the legislature when it sits this fall. With files from Sara Connors  Continue Reading