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If You're a Child or Teen In Care

Last updated on September 6, 2023

You may be dealing with a lot of different feelings because you need to live with another family for a while. Please know that every effort is being made to:

  • Keep you safe
  • Help you stay connected with your family
  • Help you return to your family home or another permanent home as soon as possible

While you're in care, there's a team that supports you – it includes your social worker, your foster family and community supports. These adults have a shared responsibility to make sure you're protected and that you know your rights.

Your Rights

Every kid in care should know their rights – if you would like them explained to you, ask your caregiver, social worker, or anyone else you trust, to explain them to you.

All children in care have the right to:

  • Live in a comfortable home with adults who care about you
  • Proper food and clothing
  • The same quality of care as other children in foster care
  • Know about your care plan
  • Say what you think about important decisions
  • Privacy – especially when talking to family members or when discussing personal things
  • Have your own personal items
  • Be free from physical punishment like spanking or hitting
  • Know what's expected of you and what will happen if you don't listen
  • Get medical and dental care
  • Do social, recreational or religious activities that you choose
  • Stay connected with your family, culture and community
  • Have access to an interpreter, if needed
  • Talk to people who can support you like the Representative for Children and Youth or the Ombudsperson
  • Know your legal rights and the supports available

Indigenous children also have the right to receive guidance, encouragement and support to learn about and practise their Indigenous traditions, customs and languages, and to belong to their Indigenous communities.

Read more about the rights you have as a child in care and how to speak up and be heard.

Leaving Care

Find guidance, tips and advice to help navigate the exciting, yet difficult time of becoming an adult and going out on your own.

Youth Agreements offer an alternative to teens (16 to 18 years old) who feel at risk in their current care arrangement and there’s no parent or other adult who can take responsibility for them.

You may be eligible for grants, scholarships, bursaries or financial help with training and education costs if you are or were in care.

 

Get in touch with someone who can help if your needs aren't being met or you don't agree with decisions being made about your care.

If you're between 14 and 24 years old, meet up with others who know what it's like to be in care.

Aboriginal teens from 16 to 19 years old are invited to learn life skills with a coach.

If you are a child or teen and would like to talk to someone, call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234.

You do not need an area code. You can call at any time of the day or night and you do not have to give your name.

You can also get help from: