Children's Services

Children's Services provides residential care to children up to the age of 18, who cannot be cared for by their biological parents. This service is provided to those residing in the Rainy River District, but not living on one of the nine reserves in the District.

Children may be in care temporarily with the consent of their parents and themselves if they are over the age of 12 years, by signing a Temporary Care Agreement. Society Wardship is also temporary but is ordered by the court. Crown Wardship is permanent and Family and Children Services assumes the duties and responsibilities of parents for children under this court order. Former Crown Wards of the Society can continue to receive assistance until the age of 21.

The Children's Services Team operates with the philosophy that children are best served by being raised in a family setting, whenever possible. As a result, group care is only used as a last resort.

Every Child deserves to develop to the best of his/her potential while being kept safe from harm. The Children's Services Team uses a normative approach to development and seeks the active participation of the children and caregivers in the development and review of the child's plan of care. The Plan addresses several areas of the child's life, including: education, heatlh, identity, family and social relationships, social presentation, emotional and behvioural development, and self care skills.

Permanency is a key component in the philosophy of the Children's Services Team and active planning strives toward a permanent goal from the date the child is admitted to the care of Family and Children's Services. Permanency plans may include returning the child to the biological parent; placing the child permanently with relatives via custody orders, guardianship agreements or adoption; or long term care with a specific family or adoption.

For further information please contact one of our offices.