What if Parents Are Unable to Provide Care for Their Children

Children may be admitted to CAS care with the consent of the parent or by an order from the court.

The CAS will review any alternate placement options including extended family, appropriate neighbours or community supports in an attempt to place the child in an environment that is safe and known to the child. In the case of an Indian or native child, the Society will review placement options with the child's First Nation or native community in order to preserve the child's native heritage and culture. Where this type of "kinship" placement is not possible, the child will be placed in a foster or group home, depending on their residential needs.

Usually a child is in the care of the CAS for a relatively short period of time, however there are occasions where a child and their family cannot be reunited and the child remains long term care with the CAS. In those situations, the child becomes a Crown ward and the CAS will explore permanent family options such as adoption or legal custody in order to provide the child with a stable, permanent family setting.

The CAS will continue to provide support and assistance to the family, for visits and any remedial services that have been identified in order to reunite the parents and children as soon as possible. Regular access visits are encouraged.

Parents may be asked to contribute to their child's support while in the CAS's care.