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Protecting
Children
 The Child,
Family and Community Service Act is the legislative authority
for the ministry's Child Protection Services. Under the Act, the Minister
designates the Director of Child Protection, who in turn delegates the
provision of child protection services across the province to child protection
social workers.
The Act requires that anyone who has reason to believe
that a child may be abused, neglected, or is for any other reason in need
of protection, must report it to the Director or a delegated social worker.
These reports are investigated by social workers, who take the most appropriate
action that is least disruptive for the child. These actions may include:
- providing or arranging the provision of support services
to the family
- supervising the child's care in the home, or
- protecting the child through removal from the family
and placement with relatives, a foster family or specialized residential
resources.
Social workers also have the delegated authority of the
Director to approve foster homes for children who come into the care of
the ministry. Resources such as group homes, specialized residential facilities,
assessment resources, and respite resources are developed to serve children
and youth in care.
Child protection services across the province are provided
through 429 ministry offices in 5 regions and a number of delegated Aboriginal agencies. The child protection staff
are supported by the provincial office of the Child Protection Division.
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