Child Protection Services
Any concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children must be reported to a District office (Open 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) or to the 24 hour, 7 day a week Help Line for Children: 310-1234 which is answered directly by a social worker.
An Emergency After Hours Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) line is also available: 1-800-663-9122. Callers will receive appropriate information or referrals.
The Ministry sponsors a website: www.safekidsbc.ca with information, resources and links re child protection / abuse issues.
The Ministry has a statutory obligation under the Family and Child Service Act to investigate all reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and, if necessary, to apprehend and bring before the Provincial Court those children who are believed to be in need of protection
Reports of abuse or neglect are investigated by social workers, who are mandated to take the most appropriate action that is least disruptive and intrusive for the child, and as supportive as possible of the family unit.
This may include providing or arranging for the provision of various 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 services.
Social workers have the delegated authority 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.
Local MCFD offices are listed by community in this on-line Directory.
Address / Contact Info
Web Links
Categorization
Other Programs from This Organization
| Child and Family Services include: Child Protection and Family Development Adoption Foster Care Early Childhood Development and Child Care Child and Youth Mental Health Youth Justice and Youth Services Children and Youth with Developmental Delays and Disabilities. |
| Foster families provide homes for children whose own families are going through difficulties and cannot look after them. |
| Toll-free line provides specialized support and assistance to foster parents outside of regular office hours. |
| Anyone can call. |
| Provides court ordered youth probation and youth custody services to youth aged 12 to 17 including: Supervision and case management of youth who are subject to a bail or probation order; Preparation of reports for Court and Crown Counsel; Community-based residential and non-residential programs; Custody of youth awaiting trial or serving a custody disposition. |
| The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) works in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Education, and regional and community agencies throughout the province, to plan and coordinate accessible high-quality intervention and support services for children and youth with special needs and their families through an integrated service delivery approach. Children and youth with special needs include those with: Autism Spectrum Disorder Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Hearing / Vision Loss Severe Disabilities and Complex Health Needs Programs include Early Childhood InterventionFamily SupportRehabilitation TherapiesTransition Planning |
This program was last updated on: 01 Feb 2017.
