The Child Protection Service Unit is located at BC Children’s Hospital. The team provides expert medical assessments for children in cases of suspected physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and serious neglect. The unit is staffed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of four pediatricians, three full-time social workers, two full-time secretaries, a nurse, psychologist and a part-time psychiatrist
The Child Protection Services pediatricians provide a medical consultation and assessment for the most serious cases in B.C. Children's Hospital. In this capacity, the unit pediatricians also consult with other physicians faced with emergency cases of child abuse throughout the province. Most of the children are evaluated in the Child and Family Clinic, a specially designed confidential clinic area on the hospital site. Before a clinical referral, the unit social worker gathers relevant information. During the clinic visit, the specialists take a full medical and social history. The child is examined by the unit pediatrician and a medical report is prepared. The unit social worker provides crisis counseling to the parents and may refer the child and family for appropriate services in the community. In the most serious cases, a child may be referred to our unit psychologist or psychiatrist for further assessment. They prepare a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment in the community. Child Protection Services social workers consult with professionals throughout the province on child protection issues. These professionals include police, social workers, physicians, community health nurses and therapists.
Referrals must be made by physicians, police, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, or delegated Aboriginal Child Protection Agencies. The Child Protection Services Unit is committed to evaluating the most complex and serious cases of child abuse from around the province. The clinic is staffed Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you have reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected, a 24-hour number is available to report your concerns. The Ministry for Children and Family Development helpline for children is 310-1234 (no area code needed).