• ABC Details

Child Death Review Committee

Department

Justice and Public Safety

Authority

Section 13.1 of the Fatalities Investigations Act

Remuneration

Level II

Purpose:

The committee is required to review child deaths and maternal deaths as outlined in the Fatalities Investigation Act.

After each review, the Committee shall report to the Minister on its findings and submit to the Chief Medical Examiner all records relevant to the review. The Committee also monitors trends in these deaths, may make recommendations on identified trends and determines whether further review is necessary or desirable in the public interest.

Structure:

The membership of the committee shall be determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Chief Medical Examiner is an Ex-Officio member.

Competency Profile:

Members who make up the Child Death Review Committee include: 

  • Physician with experience in pediatrics; 
  • Social worker with knowledge of or experience with child youth and family services delivered by government; 
  • Police officer with investigative background; 
  • Lawyer with public law experience; 
  • Nurse with experience in maternal and child health and/or public health; 
  • Advocate with experience in advocacy for women and/or children and/or youth; and
  • Educator with experience in kindergarten to grade 12 school system. 

Qualifications:

The following attribute are important considerations in selecting members.

  • High ethical standards and integrity; 
  • Ability to apply an open-minded approach;
  • Strong analytical skills; 
  • Experience in multidisciplinary team environment;
  • Experience in child and/or maternal health and well being;
  • Education in medical fields; and
  • Education in social sciences.

Time Commitments:

The Committee meets monthly, when there are child deaths to review. Committee members are required to review materials between meetings and draft reports. The chairperson also assumes additional duties including: coordinating case reviews; maintaining a data base; finalizing and submitting case reports; communicating with consultants, government officials and Child and Youth Advocate and electronic filing of reports and other documents.

Term:

A committee member shall be appointed for the term prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and notwithstanding the expiration of a committee member's term, that person shall continue to serve on the committee until reappointed or replaced.

Vacancy Profile:

The Committee is seeking to fill a Police Officer member vacancy. Knowledge of or experience with Indigenous advocacy or perspectives would be considered an asset.

Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals who possess the background, experience and skill-set identified in the board profile above and who can bring unique perspectives to the table. Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the board is representative of the population they serve.

Current Members:
NameTitleAppointment TypeAppointment Date (yyyy/mm/dd)Expiry Date (yyyy/mm/dd)
Ballard, K.C., DonnaVice-ChairpersonLieutenant Governor in Council2023-02-062026-02-06
Barker-Pinsent, CatherineChairpersonLieutenant Governor in Council2024-11-082027-11-07
Broders, JoanneMemberLieutenant Governor in Council2023-02-062026-02-06
Careen, NoreenMemberLieutenant Governor in Council2024-11-082027-11-07
Luscombe, Dr. SandraMemberLieutenant Governor in Council2023-02-062026-02-06
Northcott, CrystalMemberLieutenant Governor in Council2024-11-082027-11-07
VacantMemberLieutenant Governor in Council

Back to List

 

This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved. Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement.Photo Credits