Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact the Children’s Aid Society anonymously?

Yes. You can call us and consult with a child protection worker about a situation without identifying yourself or who the family is that you are concerned about. You will only be asked for identifying information about the family if the circumstances that you describe turn out to be reportable. There are occasions when information about a referral source must be shared as part of court proceedings that result from an assessment.

Can I call the Children’s Aid Society for help for my child, family, or myself?

Yes, we are here to help all families living in Oxford County. At any time, you can call us to speak with a child protection worker with regard to challenges you are having with your children. A worker can talk with you about your concerns and needs and help with the appropriate response that would be most supportive to your family.

When should I call the police instead of the Children’s Aid Society?

Call 9-1-1 when a child is in immediate danger and emergency services are required. If you have knowledge of a criminal act committed against a child, contact the police.

Who is a child in need of protection?

A child in need of protection is a child who is under the age of 18 who has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing, abuse or neglect.

Section 125 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, specifies the ways in which a child who is under the age of 18 may be in need of protection due to the actions or inactions of the person having charge of that child.

A child may have been harmed, or may be at risk of harm, due to this person’s actions or inactions. Types of harm include:

Neglect
Physical Harm
Emotional Harm
Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence
Sexual Abuse including Sex Trafficking

For more information, please see Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: It’s Your Duty.

Who must report suspected child abuse?

Each person has a responsibility to report concerns about the safety and well-being of a child.

Section 125 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, says that any person who has reasonable grounds to suspect abuse or neglect of a child, including those who care or work with children, are required to report the concern to a Children’s Aid Society. This duty is ongoing and cannot be delegated to someone else.

When are police involved in an assessment?

If we have information that a criminal offence has occurred against a child, we have a legal obligation to contact the police. In the same way, if police receive information about a crime against a child, they will contact us. Sometimes our agency and police do joint assessments, during which we focus on the safety and well-being of children, and police respond to criminal allegations against children.

What happens after the Children’s Aid Society completes an assessment with a family or caregiver?

If an assessment reveals a child and family requires child protection services, the Children’s Aid Society will work in collaboration with the family to address any issues that pose risk or cause harm to the child, as well as help the family to develop or strengthen their support network.

What if a family does not speak English?

We recognize the cultural diversity in Oxford County and provide interpreters to assist families and our staff to work together.

I am dissatisfied with services I received from Children’s Aid Society. What can I do?

If you have sought or received services from the Children’s Aid Society, you can share feedback or make a complaint as set out in section 119 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.

For more information, please see our Complaints, Compliments & Feedback page.

A copy of our complaint procedure is given to each person the first time we are in contact with them or their family.

At what age can a child babysit or stay home alone?

The Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, does not identify a specific age at which a child can be left alone, or an age at which a child can supervise or babysit other children.

The Act says that a person who has charge of a child who is less than 18 years of age cannot leave the children without making provision for their care or supervision that is reasonable under the circumstances.

Is it illegal to spank your child?

We do not condone, and strongly discourage, physical/corporal punishment. We advocate for parenting techniques and other forms of discipline that do not cause harm to children, and are more effective in supporting children’s unique needs and behaviours, and build trust within the child-parent relationship.

We respond to situations where physical/corporal punishment is used against children.

We know you may have questions about contacting us or when a child and family might require our services. Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about our agency.