Children and youth

We help children and youth with concerns about a wide range of public services in Ontario. We focus on the rights of the young person and make sure their voice is heard.

Our services are free and we will protect your privacy.

How we help

Some of the things we can help with are:

Problems at school (bullying, bus service, special education support)
Getting documents like birth certificates or driver’s licences
Supports for children with special needs
Connecting with a children's aid society
Problems at foster homes or group homes
Services of Indigenous child and family well-being agencies
Conditions or treatment at youth justice centres
Help for young people over 16 who are on their own

Any child, youth or adult can complain to us about organizations like:

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
School boards, colleges and universities
Ontario Autism Program
Children’s Aid Societies
Indigenous child and family well-being agencies
Office of the Children’s Lawyer
Foster homes
Group homes
Youth justice centres
Provincial or demonstration schools

Make a complaint

There are some things we can’t do. We can’t:

Change a decision made by an elected official or a judge
Investigate crimes
Take complaints about:
- Teachers
- Doctors, nurses or hospitals
- Private businesses

If we can’t help, we’ll tell you who can.

Still have questions?

How we’ve helped

Discover how our team has helped young people in Ontario:

Culture change

A Black 16-year-old complained that her CAS worker was dismissive of her requests for hair and skin products that met her cultural needs, making her feel like she was being treated differently because of her race.

An adult and an infant laying on the ground. The infant is drawing.

Right to review

We helped a parent who was refused an identification, placement and review committee (IPRC) to assess her daughter’s giftedness in kindergarten.

Timely help

A concerned adult contacted our Office on behalf of a youth who was denied a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) by a children’s aid society (CAS). VYSAs are available to 16- and 17-year-olds who have left home because of concerns about their safety, and who are in need of child protection services.