Circle of Care: Multisystem 24/7 Planning Process

The Circle of Care planning process was designed by representatives of the departments of Education, Family Services, Health, and Justice. It's design was based on results of a three-year pilot project to provide and evaluate coordinated services to children 5 to 11 with profound emotional/behavioural disorders who fit the following profile:

• the child/adolescent is a danger to self and/or to others and his/her actions are marked by impulsive, aggressive and violent behaviour;
• the behaviour is chronic - the disorder is persistent over a lengthy period of time;
• the behaviour is pervasive and consistent - the disorder negatively affects all the child’s/adolescent’s living environments including home, school, and community;
• the child/adolescent requires or is already receiving a combination of statutory and non-statutory services from the Child and Family, Education, Mental Health and/or Justice systems as defined within the Child and Family Service Act, Young Offenders Act and the Mental Health Act.

What is the Circle of Care

The Circle of Care is:

1. A consensus model that is respectful of the experience and expertise that all team members bring to the process
2. A process for coordinating multisystem services around child-centered shared service goals
3. A method for developing individualized 24/7 service plans for children with complex needs and their families that involves all caregivers in sharing information, expertise and resources.

There are seven basic components to a Circle of Care planning process:  

1. Describing Behaviours
2. Respectful Understanding of the Student
3. Sharing Meaningful Information
4. Developing Shared Service Goals
5. Creating Circle of Care Interventions
6. Cultural Competence
7. Case Management Process

For further information on 24 hour multisystem planning, please contact:

Allan Hawkins, Manager
Program and Student Services Branch
Manitoba Education
Telephone: 204-945-2757
Manitoba Toll Free: 800-282-8069, ext. 2757
Email: allan.hawkins@gov.mb.ca