All recommendations will be implemented, progress underway

QUEEN'S PARK — Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello today announced that all recommendations from two reports reviewing the Oaklands Regional Centre will be implemented to ensure the safety and care of residents.

"As a result of this review we have asked all the agencies in the province to confirm they are in compliance with our safety and security policies. We are looking at ways of improving safety and client care across the sector," Pupatello said.

The province launched the third-party review and appointed the independent manager last November following the disappearance and death of a resident of Oaklands and a subsequent incident in which a second resident left the grounds. The third-party review examined the details of these two incidents, while the independent manager's review specifically looked at safety, security and overall client care at the centre. The manager will remain on-site at Oaklands.

Both reviews call for improvements in four key areas: physical setting, policies and procedures, professional practices and personal safety of residents. Oaklands staff has already begun to implement a number of these recommendations, including improvements to security systems, staff training, and hiring additional staff.

"We're continuing to monitor the implementation of the recommendations at the centre to improve the safety of the residents. I want to thank both reviewers for their in-depth analysis and for their comprehensive recommendations that I am certain will lead to improvements at Oaklands and throughout the developmental services sector," Pupatello said.

The Executive Summary and the Independent Manager's Review are available at  http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/