Case study: Empowering child protection workers through technology

In the realm of child and family services, social workers face numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing the tools and forms necessary for effective service delivery. With the increasing demands on these professionals, mobility solutions can be instrumental in driving collaboration and providing flexibility so the vulnerable families can be better served in their greatest time of need and in real-time.¹

A provincial department recognized the need for a mobility solution to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of child protection workers and engaged KPMG in Canada to assist with the design, implementation, and evaluation of a pilot mobile solution.

KPMG led a project to explore and implement a mobile interface for the department’s case management system that would enhance the availability of tools and forms to support workers in the field and conduct an evaluation of the proof of concept.

Through a robust environmental scan and business case that assessed the ability of the identified solutions to meet the identified technology and business requirements, the department was able to select the most viable solution. KPMG subsequently worked alongside the mobile solution provider and the department to build a proof-of-concept strategy and implementation plan that outlined the steps required to build, configure, and deploy the solution.

Upon completion of the proof of concept, KPMG supported the evaluation to determine whether it was achieving the intended benefits. This included conducting pre- and post- implementation data collection, documentation of findings, and development of recommendations regarding how to further evolve or expand the mobile solution.

Throughout the pilot’s implementation phase, KPMG provided ongoing project management support to ensure a smooth transition.

The evaluation noted the following achievements: opportunities for improved efficiency; reduced administrative workload; alternative ways to engage with families; and increased compliance rates for data submissions.

As a result of KPMG's efforts, the department gained valuable insights into the key pain points experienced during the pilot and was better able to plan for a province-wide adoption. Ultimately, the department was better able to equip its child and family service workers to serve the families and children who rely on their support.

For more insights on the benefits of a prevention-based child and family services model and how it could help support your organizational goals, contact a KPMG professional.

^{1. Snowdon, J. L., Robinson, B., Staats, C., Wolsey, K., Sands-Lincoln, M., Strasheim, T., . . . Kassler, W. (2020). Empowering Caseworkers to Better Serve the Most Vulnerable with a Cloud-Based Care Management Solution. National Library of Medicine, 617–621.}