Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Indian Act
Know Your Rights
Criminal Law
Child Protection
Fair Decision Making
Child protection workers are people employed by either the Ministry of Social Services or a First Nations Child and Family Services Agency.
The Ministry of Social Services is the government department that is responsible for child protection and for providing child and family services. On reserves, that responsibility is delegated to an FNCFS Agency.
Child protection workers investigate protection concerns and work with families to deal with those concerns and provide supports. They can also provide supports and services without an investigation if a family requests it. They also remove children from their home in certain cases and they make court applications for protection hearings when required. In provincial law they are called "officers". They may also be called "case workers" and that is the term we use here.
Where the concerns are more serious, child protection workers may be assisted by police officers.
If you live on reserve and are contacted by anyone other than the FNCFS Agency that provides services to your community, you can always ask to speak to someone from that Agency. If you do not live on reserve but are a member or citizen of a First Nation, you can also ask to involve the FNCFS Agency that provides services to your First Nation.
Indigenous Jurisdiction
If your First Nation or other Indigenous governing body has taken jurisdiction in this area, you may be contacted by someone acting under that law. For example, if you are a member of Cowessess First Nation you may be contacted by someone from Chief Red Bear Children's Lodge.
