The Protecteur du citoyen intervened in a temporary housing unit at Centre de réadaptation Val-du-Lac run by CIUSSS de l'Estrie. This centre takes in minors monitored under the Youth Protection Act. A few of them also have an autism spectrum disorder or behavioural problems.
Intervention
Four young people were referred to this temporary unit. However, the investigation showed that it did not meet their needs.
The main problems brought to light by the investigation included:
- Duration / Measures which was supposed to be temporary lasted longer than they should have, with no scheduled end date;
- Living environment / The unit, designed to manage crisis situations, did not provide an appropriate living environment for the young occupants;
- Places / The lack of space in the unit bred internal tensions;
- Staff / No team was assigned to the temporary unit, resulting in staff instability;
- Training / There was a lack of staff training in important areas such as medication management.
Since this report was written, the CIUSSS has identified a location that can accommodate one of the four young people. A second location is being evaluated to provide an additional place. The CIUSSS has still not identified a suitable living environment for the other two young people.
Recommendations
The Protecteur du citoyen made eight recommendations to the CIUSSS, urging it first to:
- Immediately stop referring young people to the temporary accommodation unit;
- Find an appropriate resource for those who are still there.
The other recommendations were aimed at improving the quality of services provided in the temporary accommodation unit. More specifically, the unit’s purpose should be clarified and staff training requirements should be upped.
All the recommendations were accepted. The Protecteur du citoyen will monitor their implementation closely.
Intervention report concerning Centre de réadaptation Val-du-Lac (PDF, 311 KiB, in French only)
