SDM or Structured Decision Making is a case management system used in the delivery of child protection services. The SDM system is comprised of six assessment tools: Intake Assessment; Safety Assessment; Risk Assessment; Family Strengths and Needs Assessment; Risk Reassessment; and Reunification Assessment.
SDM has two major goals. Firstly, to reduce subsequent harm or maltreatment for children and families, and secondly, too expediate permanency and safe reunification. To achieve these goals, SDM has laid out several core objectives: structure critical decision points; increase consistency in decision making; increase accuracy in decision making, and to inform policy and practice through the use of data.
To learn more about implementing SDM at your agency and some of the common questions that agencies have when it comes to implementation please click here
For more information on training and on-site support please contact SFNFCI Learning Operations Director Jason Chickosis (306-250-4781 or jason@sfnfci.ca) or call SFNFCI main office phone number at 306-373-2874.
For the SDM Policy and Procedures Manual for Child Protection Services (updated December 2022) click image below:
SDM TOOLS:
1. SDM Intake Assessment
2. SDM Safety Assessment
3. SDM Risk Assessment
4. SDM Family Strength and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
5. SDM Child Strength and Needs Assessment (CSNA)
6. SDM Reunification Assessment
7. SDM Risk Reassessment
For a fillable copy of all SDM assessments, please contact SFNFCI's SDM Consultants Shelley Arcand at shelleya@sfnfci.ca and Carolena Silva at carolena@sfnfci.ca
SDM Learning Aids:
For an overview of the SDM Intake and Investigation process click here.
Intake Information Collection Guide click here.
Steps for SDM Safety Planning click here.
Parent/caregiver nonlinear notetaking record click here.
Child nonlinear notetaking record click here.
SK Contact Standards quick reference click here.
Three questions click here
Overview of SDM Policy & Procedures click here.
