The Mark Cherrington Podcast Episode 5 – Focusing on Children’s Services
In episode 5, Mark Cherrington opens up about his work supporting families navigating challenges with children's services. Drawing on over 35 years of experience, Mark shares his "three golden rules"—respect, trust, and a nonjudgmental approach.
He brings these principles to life with real-world advocacy examples, shedding light on the emotional toll and bureaucratic hurdles families face. Mark also examines systemic inefficiencies, the struggle to access resources, and the importance of fair court representation.
Throughout the conversation, he highlights how compassionate, personalized support can truly make a difference for families in difficult situations.
NOTE: The extended version of this podcast episode is available exclusively to his Patreon supporters.
00:00 Introduction to Mark's Three Golden Rules
01:58 Meet Mark Cherrington: Advocate for Families
02:21 Challenges with Children's Services
04:19 Podcast Expectations
08:05 Systematic Challenges and Bureaucratic Roadblocks
25:21 Emotional Impact on Families
32:51 Advocacy and Humanizing the Process
43:30 Praising Child Welfare Workers
46:45 Challenges in Accessing Support and Resources
47:26 Integrating Children's Services
53:33 Advocacy in Court
01:04:28 Common Misunderstandings About Children's Services
01:24:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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Overview of This Episode
Navigating children’s services isn’t just about understanding the system—it’s about building trust and empowering families to take control of their own situations.
In this episode, Mark Cherrington breaks down his "golden rules" for advocacy: respecting families as the decision-makers, avoiding judgmental language, and building trust by always having their back.
He and Kevin also dive into the systemic gaps that leave families ping-ponged between agencies, the heartbreaking choices single mothers make to secure housing, and how judgment too often replaces support.
Mark sheds light on what it takes to help families not just survive, but rebuild their stability.
Mark's Three Golden Rules
Three simple but powerful principles guide Mark’s work.
The first rule is: you're my boss. "I don't work for the government, I don't work for the police, I don't work for these agencies, I don't work for anybody but you. So you can fire me anytime you want, and you can direct what you want me to do anytime you feel comfortable."
The second rule is: I never say the word SHOULD. "There are people in your lives that say that word. Some of them need to say that word. A lawyer, for instance, giving you legal advice. A police officer who's got a gun pointed at you. Those people, you listen to the word should. But me, I'll never say that word."
The third rule is: I won't rat you out: "I won't rat you out. I'm not the eyes and ears of children's services or the justices. I let them know that if you I know that a child is in imminent harm to themselves or to others, I have to, and I will, let the let the appropriate authorities know about that."
Systemic Gaps in Children’s Services
Mark exposes inefficiencies in the Children’s Services system that harm families in crisis.
"I’ve sat there and set tables and watched these agencies fighting in Child Welfare over things like bus passes or counseling or things like that. So it’s a bad model."
He also criticizes the fragmented approach:
"You’ll sit there at a table and child welfare says, well, that’s Income Support's job. That’s the education system’s responsibility or their classic, it’s the healthcare system, but it’s there’s responsibility. And you see these families get ping-ponged back around these systems because no one’s taking the lead or the responsibility."
Safe Housing Remains Out of Reach for Many Single Moms
Mark emphasizes how housing instability impacts families.
"If you’re a single mom, and you want to keep your child safe and warm and thrive, you might have to put yourself through some awful choices to ensure that your child has housing and needs.
That might be living with an abusive partner, that might be being sexually exploited, that might be called what they call squirreling, which means you are providing sex for basic needs."
Replacing Judgment with Support
Mark describes how families, often Indigenous, often feel judged instead of supported.
"These families aren't learning anything. What they're feeling is judged. Children's Services needs to have the tough talks. For just an example...this meeting was really important...And then they had right under it, your client must be sober. Your client cannot be aggressive. And, you know, this is just...it was based on stereotypes."
Advocacy That Changes Lives
Mark reflects on his role in supporting families in court.
"When I stand next to a parent in court, I remind them they have rights, their voice matters, and they deserve to be treated with respect."
He highlights the importance of giving families a say.
"Advocacy is a lot different...You're there to amplify their concerns, their family's perspective, the family's concerns."
In Conclusion
This episode offers a raw and insightful look at families' challenges and the transformative power of thoughtful, dedicated advocacy. Through his work, Mark helps families navigate complex systems and regain stability.