THE BAYNE CELEBRATION / 608

Cutting the Welcome Home Cake

August 25, 2011, this past Saturday afternoon was the long anticipated official party to mark the reunion of the Bayne family. Many friends came together to take pleasure with Paul and Zabeth in this recovery of relationships that are so important to them. Kent, Baden Bethany and Josiah are delights.

Paul and Zabeth thanked people who were instrumental during these past four years and thanked all who have so faithfully supported them with personal care, attention, prayer, financial provision for legal costs and so much more.

May this family live happily ever after.
Good bye and thank you.

As indicated in the previous post, this happy outcome now concludes my blog contributions to the Bayne Campaign of Justice. I am deeply satisfied to see this family able to move together into their future. My heart longs for other ruptured families to be whole and happy. I have respect for advocates of the rights of children to safety, freedom, provision and good care, as well as those who champion parents' rights and the need for changes within child protection services across our country. My thanks to all who have read the blog, commented and encouraged the Baynes. May some of you continue to be a support to other families going through difficult times. No further new blog posts or comments related to child protection will appear here.

THIS IS MY LAST BAYNE ENTRY / 607

I have come to the end of the chronicle. I began writing GPS Blog Posts concerning the Baynes two years ago. I coupled that with a Facebook page that I started entitled The Bayne Campaign for Justice. Now after publishing over 600 GPS child protection related entries, I am bringing it to a close. I could continue telling joy-filled Bayne Family details in the months to come but Paul and Zabeth and their children warrant privacy now. The children are not spectacles. Their lives now must center on opportunity rather than history. I also realize that there are innumerable additional cases for which I could write advocacy notes. So I will simply say that for personal reasons I need to conclude this episode of my online journalism.

My initial GPS posts disclose my shock upon learning that two friends had already been living a nightmare for two years. All three Bayne children were in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). I entitled that first post ‘Paul and Zabeth Bayne – Part One - An Alarming Case of BC Government’s Miscarriage of Justice.’

From then until today’s Part 607, I have recounted the entire saga of the Bayne struggle with a Ministry committed to protect children at risk. I didn’t foresee writing daily for two years, investing quite as much emotion, witnessing so strong a network of supporters, watching GPS readership increase to almost 310,000 visits to the blog. That’s good for a local story.

This has been an educational journey for me. I was compelled to read volumes of information, medical, judicial and assorted family stories. I discovered that concern exist in all civilized countries over the enormous authority possessed by Child Protection (CPS). I learned that there are social workers who mean well and do well. I have discerned that social work is necessary, difficult, and sometimes thankless. I have been appreciative of foster parents committed to loving care of children who are not their own but require a provisional home. I have been absolutely dismayed with people who deal dispassionately and discourteously with parents. I have enjoyed new friendships that have begun during this campaign and I have met good, good people who run on humanitarian fuel. I have admired the dedication of Paul and Zabeth to recover their family while conducting themselves with dignity.

I am thrilled with the conclusion for the Baynes. This afternoon I will join scores of other friends as we celebrate with the Bayne Six, this successful survival. I do trust that MCFD will never revisit the Bayne file to encumber the health of this family. I resolutely believe that child protection can be done more compassionately and collaboratively in British Columbia and that MCFD training and practice requires revision.

Thank you for joining me so often along the way and for your advice, counsel and comments. I will keep the comments option open for a few days. Good bye for now.

The afternoon celebration is marked here by Zabeth’s and Paul’s invitation.

Today 1:00pm at 15030 66 A Avenue

We want to extend an invitation to all those who have been praying and supporting us for the return of our children, Kent, Baden, Bethany and Josiah to a celebration party scheduled for Saturday Aug 27 starting at 1:00. Josiah was returned on Aug 2 and our older children are to return on Aug 25. Bible Fellowship Church has opened its doors to us as a host for this special time. We do ask that everyone who can will please bring a food or beverage item. Thanks to all of you for your support and your prayers and we hope that you will join us for this joyous time.

 4:00 PM Addendum: I have just returned from the afternoon party. A great many people were in attendance to see the children and to watch them with Paul and Zabeth, What a wonderful sight. Happy, happy day for the Baynes and many more of us.

TAKING AYN WAS WRONG / 606

A Family shot during this past year

Josiah at 7 mo laughing

The Baynes are still rejoicing. All four children have been returned into the arms of Zabeth and Paul. Tomorrow I will celebrate this joyful event with them at a large party. Tomorrow I will close out this GPS campaign for the Baynes with my final posting. 

Today I am commenting on Ayn and her daddy Derek Hoare.

A young Ayn with Daddy

Derek Hoare expresses himself. Have you already noticed? He has a Facebook Page called ‘Help Bring little Autistic girl back to her daddy.’ Thousands of people are members and many of them write comments each day. His lead observations or his responses to others comprise the reading material. It is a busy page. I was going to say that MCFD would like parents like Derek to roll over and be quiet, but almost certainly MCFD don’t care about Derek. But MCFD should care. He has already appeared on more television and radio interviews and online and hard copy news articles than any previous parent whose child has been taken for questionable reasons. And it has only been 45 days or so since Ayn was removed from his care.

This is what he said yesterday, "Just got off the phone with MCFD, Ayn is sobbing to see me, she has been carrying around my picture, and is crying about wanting to see me. So saddening."

THEY WILL BE HAPPY AGAIN - IT STARTS TODAY / 605

Josiah is six months old and he has been living with Zabeth and Paul for the past month.

His siblings, Kent, Baden and Bethany have been visiting the family home off and on for a few days and nights at a time as part of the reintegration programme agreed upon by the Baynes and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

BUT, TODAY IS THE DAY!!! YES TODAY. 
BY NOON TODAY, THURSDAY AUG 25, 2011, the eldest three children will be received into the Bayne home and care. The Bayne Family will have their chance for a restart.

Zabeth and Paul were so excited last evening when we chatted. They wondered whether they would be able to sleep, and perhaps they haven't slept much but their pensive rest will have been filled with happy thoughts. The children too have been counting down the days. This is right and good.

It was close to four years ago when a quake rocked their world culminating in newborn Bethany being retained by the Ministry and the two older but still little boys being apprehended as well. It's old news now and I won't retell it this time. The Bayne path became rockier before it ever was evened out to this point.

Bethany cozy on the couch

This past Father's Day

Soon this happy little Josiah who was born early in 2011 will be joined by three other smiling children looking forward to their familiar places and possessions at 'home.' Soon the two boys will don their new school uniforms and be ready for first day at class in the school where they are now enrolled. Normalcy may come easier to the children than to Paul and Zabeth whose lives were child-empty for so long. I am sure that the children may ask about their foster mom and family. The Baynes will need to work through that. I am sure the daily demands of four children plus a business work schedule will require degrees of patience and stamina from Paul and Zabeth that are taxing. I expect that the accumulated tolerance and fortitude acquired through these past four years has equipped them fairly well. And they themselves are made of the right stuff.

Zabeth and Josiah

I believe that they will be a very happy and contented family.

On Saturday, family and friends in great numbers will join them in a grand party celebrating the occasion of this reunion and taking time to thank God whom the Baynes ultimately credit with this result.   

DOUG CHRISTIE - A MAN WORTHY OF RESPECT / 604

Lawyer Doug Christie not only became the legal counsel for Zabeth and Paul Bayne in 2010. He became a friend. He  has cancer.


In this four minute video, Free Speech Lawyer Douglas Christie speaks about the value of others and the interconnectedness of friends as he faces his diagnosis of prostate cancer. A frank assessment of the spiritual consequences of a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

RESOLVING DILEMMAS / 603

Today Ray Ferris has written, "So the real problem is that the children's ministry keeps in step with the rest of the-English speaking world and manages to get it wrong 60% of the time." He is continuing a theme which he began last week on 'Family Court is not So Civil / 599.'

"Last week I wrote a piece about the problem that a protection complaint laid with an allegation of shaking, or any other non-accidental (i.e. deliberate injury ) is tantamount to an accusation of having committed a crime and a finding by the judge of deliberate injury is as good as convicting someone of a crime without the protection of criminal court. A shaking baby accusation is always an allegation of criminal behaviour. Criminal court provides these protections. 1. Presumption of innocence. 2. Right to remain silent without prejudice. 3. Rules of evidence and laws of evidence. 4. Proof required beyond a reasonable doubt.

4 DAYS TO GO

THE BAYNE FAMILY WILL FINALLY BE REUNITED FOR GOOD ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH.

DEREK EXPRESSES HIMSELF ON FACEBOOK / 602

I will not presume to speak for Derek Hoare. A reliable account of his thoughts and opinions are featured in his own words in an ongoing string of remarks on a Facebook group page called ‘Help Bring Little Autistic Girl Back to her Daddy.’ Perhaps you have already found it. If not you should. I will place some of the quoted text here as samplers.

Ayn, in care and drugged, vacant look

First, let me introduce you once more. Ayn is nine years old. Two months ago she was removed from Derek’s custody and care by the Ministry of Children (MCFD). MCFD social workers unsuccessfully consulted with Derek and also asked him to sign a voluntary release document which he refused in an understandably emotional dispute. They left his house, went to the school where she was enrolled, and they apprehended her. Since then he has not seen her once. He will have to answer whether this option has been presented to him. I know that he has said he would decline this because he either knows how damaging it could be to Ayn when he must say goodbye, or perhaps Derek himself could not bear the pain.

Celebrating BC Child and Youth in Care Week / 601

In its own promotion of this special week that was held this past May, the Ministry of Children and Family Development has written this comment.

“Notice, Listen, Respect. Stand with children and youth in care. These are powerful words, and they hold a personal meaning for thousands of children and youth in government care across British Columbia.
To help acknowledge and celebrate children and youth in government care and to help combat negative stereotypes and social stigmas, the B.C. government is proclaiming May 23-29, 2011 as the first-ever B.C. Child and Youth in Care Week.
It was a youth-driven idea to create the week - and it's a first for British Columbia. B.C. is the only province in Canada to celebrate a week for children and youth in government care.”

Let’s not be naïve or so self-congratulatory that we ignore the thousands of children who are in care but don’t want to be there. 

Code of Ethics for Canadian Social Workers. / 600

ACTS / CASW

The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) developed a Code of Ethics for Canadian social workers. It consists of six values which are intended to guide professional practice in an ethical manner and is consistent with the International Declaration of Ethical Principles, created by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). I would like to hear from you. Try not to default to rage and complaint. If you can, when you read these values, express clearly how you believe case workers associated with your case, have been measuring up. If there has been disappointment, have you been able to identify where the breakdown occurs?

Value 1: Respect for the Inherent Dignity and Worth of Persons

o Social workers are committed to respecting the dignity and worth inherent in all people. In doing so, social workers uphold each person's right to self-determination as long as this right does not impose on the safety and rights of others or the safety of the individual. If required by law to act against a client's wishes, the Code states that the social worker must do so with the least amount of coercion possible.

Furthermore, social workers recognize and respect the diversity within the Canadian population and uphold the rights of individuals to practice their beliefs and traditions as long as they do not impose on the rights of others. Social workers uphold the rights laid out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Value 2: Pursuit of Social Justice

o Social workers believe that all people--individually and collectively--are obligated to provide services, resources and opportunities that benefit humanity and protect individuals from harm. Furthermore, they advocate for social fairness and equal access to resources, services and benefits. Social workers are concerned with removing barriers and increasing choices among all people, but particularly among those who are vulnerable, marginalized or disadvantaged. This includes objecting to prejudice and discrimination under any circumstances and addressing and challenging the stereotypes of individuals or groups within society.

Value 3: Service to Humanity

o When acting in a professional capacity, social workers place the needs of others above their own self-interest. They aim to promote the personal development of individuals and groups as outlined in the Code. Furthermore, the power they are given is used responsibly and in ways that meet the needs of clients and promote social justice. As well, the knowledge and skills they possess are used to resolve conflict and address the wide range of consequences resulting from conflict.

Value 4: Integrity in Professional Practice

o Social workers respect and promote the values, purpose and ethical principles of their profession and their field of practice. They act honestly and responsibly and demonstrate reliability, impartiality and diligence, thereby maintaining a high level of professional practice. They are always mindful of their actions so that they do not negatively impact the reputation of the profession and they develop and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Value 5: Confidentiality in Professional Practice

o Social workers respect their clients’ right to privacy and the importance of the trust their clients have placed in them. This entails keeping client information confidential unless consent has been given by the client or a legal representative of the client to disclose certain information. That being said, the Code states that the confidentiality agreement can be broken if a client has disclosed incriminating information or if a court order requires the social worker to disclose specific information received from a client. Therefore, social workers always inform their clients about the limitations of the confidentiality agreement before any information is shared.

Value 6: Competence in Professional Practice

o Social workers respect their clients’ right to be offered the highest quality of service possible. Thus, social workers limit their professional practice to areas where they are most competent. If a social worker is unable to meet the needs of her client, she will refer him to another social worker or agency that can. Furthermore, social workers are continuously working on developing personal knowledge and skills relevant to their profession and contributing to the development of the profession as a whole. If this involves research then special care is to be taken to minimize risks, ensure informed consent and confidentiality and accurately report findings in an unbiased manner.

British Columbia has its own Code of Ethics, a blend of CASW and provincial BCASW priorities.

BCASW Code of Ethics

Ethical behaviour is at the core of every profession. The BCASW Code of Ethics was jointly adopted by BCASW and the BC College of Social Workers in January 2003 and consists of eleven principles:

1. A social worker shall maintain the best interest of the client as the primary professional obligation.
2. A social worker shall respect the intrinsic worth of the persons she or he serves in her or his professional relationships with them.
3. A social worker shall carry out her or his professional duties and obligations with integrity and objectivity.
4. A social worker shall have and maintain competence in the provision of a social work service to a client.
5. A social worker shall not exploit the relationship with a client for personal benefit, gain or gratification.
6. A social worker shall protect the confidentiality of all professionally acquired information. She or he shall disclose such information only when required or allowed by law to do so, or when clients have consented to disclosure.
7. A social worker who engages in another profession, occupation, affiliation or calling shall not allow these outside interests to affect the social work relationship with the client, professional judgment, independence and/or competence.
8. A social worker shall not provide social work services or otherwise behave in a manner that discredits the profession of social work or diminishes the public’s trust in the profession.
9. A social worker shall promote service, program and agency practices and policies that are consistent with this Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice of the BC College of Social Workers.
10. A social worker shall promote excellence in her or his profession.
11. A social worker shall advocate change in the best interest of the client, and for the overall benefit of society.

BCASW Code of Ethics
CASW Code of Ethics - full document 2005
CASW Code and Guidelines for Ethical Practice

FAMILY COURT IS NOT SO CIVIL. / 599

"It is interesting to see what would have happened in the Bayne case, had their case been in criminal instead of family court. Of course it did not get into criminal court because of lack of evidence. When the police investigate a case, they look at the evidence and by that they mean the hard, provable factual evidence. If when the case is reviewed, an investigating constable reviews the case together with a superior. They may decide, and I believe this happened in the Bayne case, that there is insufficient evidence to take to the prosecutor."

That paragraph and the rest of today's post is written by Ray Ferris, an occasional GPS post writer. Ray speaks from 31 years service in child welfare and protection as a social worker and district supervisor and family court coordinator. Ray is the author of 'The Art of Child Protection'. 

Parents BEWARE! Ayn's Van Dyk's Story, It Could Happen To You: Part 3 / 598

This post in its entirely is a quoted article by Carrie Russo who is a San Pedro Special Education Examiner (published  August 9, 2011 on Examiner.com.) She has recorded as well as anyone has, the synopsis of a heartbreaking family crisis. She writes from her home in California and she has done her homework well and spoken to Derek in order to glean these facts. Her previous two segments were referenced on this GPS site yesterday. This is her latest comment. I credit and quote it in its entirety.

IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO AYN, IT MAY HAPPEN TO YOUR CHILDREN / 597

The blog title seems to be an apparent leap in logic that parents of autistic children are making but it is entirely reasonable. If nine year old Ayn can be removed from her daddy whom she loves, other children who may wander from home or display bizarre behaviour in a public venue can similarly risk removal from their parental homes. That is what is concerning parents of autistic children and members of autism societies and support groups and research organizations.

Ayn’s case is typical of so many family situations in which disabled children have not been neglected or abused by their caregiving parents but after cursory investigation, government agencies have jumped to the default protection option – take the child away.

THE FIFTH ESTATE AND AN SBS DOCUMENTARY IN SEPTEMBER / 596

Gillian Findlay, Bob McKeown, Hana Gartner, Linden MacIntyre

The Fifth Estate has a lengthy record of confronting ethical issues and doing it well. It is a form of journalism and the stories that are tackled have a high risk factor. That is, the people whose stories are told have faced and may still face profound consequences. They voluntarily provide information because they cannot evade the compelling conviction that the stories are too important to remain silent. These are brave people and fortunately Fifth Estate producers and directors are determined to treat these subjects with care.

This September, CBC’s Fifth Estate will air a documentary concerning Shaken Baby Syndrome. To that end, a crew were in attendance at last weekend’s Conference on Evidence Based Medicine and Social Investigation. The venue was advantageous for the producers because Dr. Chris Van Ee and numerous other experts were presenters and were willing to be interviewed.

ALTRUISTIC WORK BY RAY FERRIS AND DOUG CHRISTIE / 595

Doug Christie

Ray Ferris

At last weekend’s conference entitled, EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE AND SOCIAL INVESTIGATION, two of the speakers during the Saturday morning schedule, were Ray Ferris and Doug Christie. These have become friends of mine, casual, men whom I respect. Both of these men as many of you now know, have been instrumental in assisting the Baynes particularly through the course of the multi-months court hearing in 2010. Ray’s knowledge of the Child, Family and Community Services Act, and the operations of the Ministry of Children and Family Development child protection process was immensely helpful to the Baynes as well as to Mr. Christie. Mr. Christie’s courtroom experience, his logic and perceptivity as well as communication skill was crucial to the case outcome.

THE LIFE SENTENCE TO ALAN YURKO / 594

Dr. Harold Buttram

Two days ago I mentioned Dr. Harold Buttram, one of the presenters at the recent Evidence Based Medicine and Social Investigation Conference. This is an addendum to my information concerning him.

I will here provide you with a link to an article written by Dr. Buttram entitled, ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome or Vaccine-Induced Encephalitis?’ which will inform and alarm you. The article’s inspiration was the case of Alan Ream Yurko at whose trial Buttram testified that it was not shaking but six vaccines that contributed to the death of Yurko’s 10 week old son, Alan. Mr. Yurko was sentenced to life plus ten years. After serving seven years, an appeal won his release. The article shows that the theories on which the SBS is based are both undocumented and flawed and that convictions in many cases of the SBS may have been the result of misdiagnosis, the true cause of death or injury having been vaccine-related.

DR. JOHN PLUNKETT / 593

Dr. John Plunkett

I am pretty impressed with the caliber of medical and bio-mechanical experts, pathologists and lawyers who served as presenters at the recent Evidence Based Medicine and Social Investigation Conference held in Surrey last weekend. Paul and Zabeth Bayne deserve applause for envisioning this conference and making it happen.

One example is a forensic pathologist Dr. John Plunkett, a leading critic of shaken baby syndrome and a thorn in the side of child abuse prosecutors.

MORE ABOUT THE EBMSI CONFERENCE / 592

Harold Buttram

Harold Buttram is physically bent over, shoulders stooped as he moves ably to the podium, is alert, engaging, and absolutely unflinching in his opinion that Shaken Baby Syndrome is a theory undocumented and flawed and that many cases of suspicion and even conviction of SBS are misdiagnoses. He was one of the many speakers at the recent Evidence Based Medicine and Social Investigation Conference in Surrey. He was worthy of hearing.

JUST PASSED 300,000 BLOG READERS

I am elated that the Bayne children are all coming home this month after four years. It is satisfying to me that the Bayne story has drawn such attention.

The Evidence Based Medicine Conference and SBS / 591

The Evidence Based Medicine and Social Investigation Conference 2011, convened August 4, 5 and 6. There were approximately sixty registrants. Many others should have enjoyed the opportunity to dialogue with the guest presenters. There were helpful break and mealtime exchanges between experts and appreciative attendees. Perhaps this will be the first of many such conferences.

I attended the Friday morning sessions of the Conference. I arrived early enough to grab breakfast at a table where Mark Freeman, Patrick Barnes and Harold Buttram were seated and after a quick introduction I listened to their case stories. Mark Freeman spoke to the Conference on Thursday. Law is his second career.

THE FRASER REGION AND CHILD PROTECTION

The Fraser Region has much for which to answer. This is the region with which I am familiar and within which my primary illustration of bad practice occurred. In every region government social workers pride themselves for taking this work seriously and they assume responsibility for children when they deem that a home environment is unsafe or harmful but sometimes, some of them are making mistakes in judgement and it is costing children and families and parents, something precious – time.

THE MYTH OF SYSTEMS FAILURES by Ray Ferris / 589

Ray Ferris is a frequent commentator and occasional post writer here. Ray speaks and writes from a vast experience of 31 years in public service in general public welfare and child welfare, child protection, as a social worker, district supervisor, work among aboriginal peoples, long term foster care supervisor, family court coordinator, director of alcohol and drug counselling. Ray is the author of 'The Art of Child Protection'. He is a decided critic of aspects of MCFD policy as exemplified by the manner in which the Bayne family were treated these past four years. He has written today's piece.

THE MYTH OF SYSTEMS FAILURES
Whenever a new tragedy befalls some poor child in this province, how often do we hear the explanation expressed that “the system” failed little Cherie. Or poor Matthew seems to have fallen through the cracks in the system. How very, very convenient that we can always find this convenient “system” that we can blame. This nondescript entity which seems to have a life of its own and it has nothing much to do with people.

I MAY BE WRONG BUT I DOUBT IT / 588

I have written about the Baynes for two years. I will stop soon. I only recently wrote several posts about Derek Hoare and his daughter Ayn. I won't need to write for him because he has an army at work for him.

The Bayne case differs remarkably from that of Derek Hoare and daughter Ayn. Bethany Bayne was removed from parental custody when she was seven weeks old. She had been injured. Her two sibling brothers were removed at the same time. Because of Bethany's injuries the Bayne case launched amid solemn suspicion that one of the parents was a child abuser. That Ministry suspicion was generated and fueled by medical opinion. RCMP investigated but dismissed the matter. MCFD's suspicion was unrelenting. Derek's daughter, nine-year old Ayn is autistic and upon her removal the hospital examination reported no evidence of harm or abuse but rather good health. Her two sibling brothers have been permitted to remain with their father. Ayn was removed from her father’s care and custody when she wandered away from her home one day as many autistic children are prone to do.

TODAY JOSIAH IS BEING GIVEN BACK TO ZABETH AND PAUL / 587

Josiah in the Month of June

Recently Josiah had an overnight with Paul and Zabeth. The following afternoon I saw him sleeping against his mommy in a soft front baby carrier. He has grown. He has received good foster care for the past five months since he was born and since he was removed from his mom. Today he begins overnighting at Paul's and Zabeth's place forever - it's his place too. 

Since early July Paul and Zabeth have known that their children would be returned to them. In a cordial meeting attended by their lawyer Robert Hamilton, MCFD legal counsel Dean Tate and case worker Matthew Walker as well as new director Sheila Zeiner, they were informed of this news. Since the social worker requested that the Baynes should not make these details known prior to July 23, the date upon which the parents would be allowed to inform their children that they are scheduled to come home, I complied with that request.

JOSIAH IS HOME TOMORROW & PRIVACY - SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT UP / 586

JOSIAH IS COMING HOME TO STAY TOMORROW!
--------------------------------------------------------------
We have become large on privacy matters. Companies and corporations are bound now by privacy law which affects what information can be published with regard to employees, partners and clients. But we are a confused society. Our privacy is forfeited at every turn. We are all under surveillance whenever we walk beneath street cameras, swipe cards, surf the net. Increasingly sophisticated computer systems now track for companies and government what you are searching online whether you are at home or work. Surveillance was once a word associated only with law enforcement but is now an unavoidable aspect of life in our world.

Ask Paul and Zabeth Bayne and Derrek Hoare what life is like when you relinquish a private life.