Frequently Asked Questions
Who calls Family and Children’s Services?
- Professionals and citizens call Family and Children’s Services when they suspect abuse or neglect.
- Families call Family and Children’s Services when they have difficulties managing their children.
- Children call Family and Children’s Services when they are encountering problems at home.
Legislation requires that:
A person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection must make the report directly to a Child Welfare Authority agency and that people who work with children who suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect must report these suspicions to the local Child Welfare authority; failure to do so could subject the person to a fine.
What is the age of the children whom "Duty to Report" applies?
The duty to report applies to any child who is, or appears to be, under the age of 16 years. It also applies to children subject to a child protection order who are 16 and 17 years old.
People can still call Lennox and Addington Family and Children’s Services to report abuse of a child or young person, when that young person is over 16, the agency can direct the caller/referral source to the appropriate resources/community services.
What happens when you call Family and Children’s Services?
- When you call you will speak to an intake worker who is specially trained to listen to your concerns and ask questions before deciding how urgent the situation is and what type of intervention is needed. If a child is in imminent danger, a social worker will respond immediately.
- If the protection worker determines that the child is not in immediate danger or risk of harm, he/she will be able to assist the family by taking a customized approach designed to connect them with community resources.
- Child Welfare workers are professionals who evaluate your information using comprehensive guidelines to determine the risk in each situation. Child protection workers, using clear standards and guidelines, Child Protection Standards and Tools in Ontario and the Ontario Child Welfare Eligibility Spectrum, determine the kind of support and service needed to keep children safe and families healthy in situations involving child maltreatment.
- Every report received by the Family and Children’s Services is reviewed by a child protection worker to determine the appropriate response. Most calls that require further investigation fall into two categories -- those that must be responded to within 12 hours, and those that must be followed up within 7 days. Individual circumstances and level of risk for the children involved determine the response times.
- In most cases, the child and family will be offered supportive counselling to help keep the child safe and secure at home.
- Family and Children’s Services provide child welfare services and parenting supports to families to help them cope with stress, poverty, addiction or mental health problems.
Family and Children’s Services protect children from abuse including neglect, promote their well-being within their families and communities, and provide a safe, nurturing place for children and youth to grow up.
When a child is at risk due to health reasons, medical professionals seek court intervention to protect the child and Children’s Aid Societies are called upon to act. Under the Child and Family Services Act, a child is in need of protection where the child has suffered or is at risk to suffer harm by a person or a person’s failure to care for, supervisor or protect the child. Children’s Aid Societies supervise medical treatment and care for the child when parents refuse or are unavailable to consent to treatment. According to the CFSA, “A child is in need of protection where…the child requires medical treatment to cure, prevent or alleviate physical harm or suffering and the child’s parent or the person having charge of the child does not provide, or refuses or is unavailable or unable to consent to, the treatment; (Section 37, 2, (e))”
What if parents are unable to provide care for their children?
- Children may be admitted to CAS care with the consent of the parents or by court order.
- The CAS might seek out relatives or other significant persons to provide short-term care.
- The CAS will continue to provide help to the family, encourage visits and ultimately reunite the child and family unless the child is made a Crown ward. Every effort is made to reunite child and family and regular visits are encouraged. Parents may be requested to contribute financially to their child's support.
Who looks after the child in CAS care?
Most children receive care in foster homes or group homes in or near their home community. Some children may require placements geared to their special needs. Foster families are able to provide care, understanding and relief to many children during a family's time of crisis. Placements are usually temporary with the plan to return the child to the natural family following regular counselling and visits. As a last resort, the court may make a child a crown ward if the family situation cannot be restored. At that time, a permanent plan for the child will be developed.
Are you pregnant and need help?
- Young persons can turn to CAS when they discover they are pregnant.
- Many options are available to the mother.
- The worker will explore all the alternatives with the mother so that she can make the best decision.
- Support and counselling can be provided to both parents during the pregnancy and after the birth.
- If the mother decides to parent the baby, support can be provided.
- Alternate care can be provided during the time of uncertainty.
- If adoption is chosen, the society will find the best suitable home for the child.
If you have any questions regarding the services provided, please contact your local CAS.
At what age can a child be left home alone?
The Child and Family Services Act does not identify an age when a child can be left alone, or an age at which a child can supervise or babysit other children. The Act recognizes that age alone is not a sufficient safeguard for the supervision of children.
The Act says that a person who has charge of a child less than 16 years of age cannot leave the child without making provision for his/her care or supervision that is reasonable under the circumstances. Anyone who contravenes this provision is guilty of a provincial offence and if convicted is liable to a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to a year.
In addition, the Criminal Code of Canada includes the offence of abandoning a child. Everyone who unlawfully abandons or exposes a child who is under the age of 10 years, so that its life is or is likely to be endangered, or its health is or is likely to be permanently injured is guilty of an offence that carries a penalty of imprisonment of not more than two years.
If you're unsure as to whether it's okay to leave your child home alone, please consult with your local Children's Aid Society -- you don't have to give your name, or any identifying information.
I have a complaint about a CAS, who should I contact?
Please view the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services website.
Do you have a complaint about services you have sought or received from an Ontario Children’s Aid Society?
View the Child and Family Services Review Board Brochure, Do you want a review of a decision you have received from an Ontario Children's Aid Society or licensee?
If you are unhappy with the service provided to you or a member of your family, please read the Ministry brochure which outlines the process or if you want a review of a decision you received from a Children's Aid Society, read the CFSRB brochure.
What should I know about child protection court cases?
The Ministry of the Attorney General has created a brochure called, What You Should Know About Child Protection Court Cases.