Children, youth and families
Ombudsman Ontario is here to help all young people. We help them and their families get fair treatment from public services.
We make sure children and teens know their rights and their voices are heard.
We talk to children and youth every day about problems with things like:
- Daycare and school – from kindergarten all the way to college and university
- Family support or other benefits
- Health and social services for young people with special needs
- Birth certificates or driver’s licences
- Services from children’s aid societies, foster homes or group homes
- Supports for older teens on their own
- Conditions or treatment in youth justice centres
What you should know
We have a dedicated team that specializes in talking to and helping young people.
We are:
- Independent – not part of government
- Impartial – we don’t take sides (we promote fairness and rights)
- Trained to take a child-centred, trauma-informed approach
We have staff who focus on helping:
- Indigenous children, youth and families
- Black children, youth and families
- 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth
- Blind, deaf and deafblind children and youth at provincial and demonstration schools
Find out about:
- How we help children and youth
- How we help families
- What we help with
- Results and positive change
- Connecting with you
How we help children and youth
As a young person in Ontario, you have rights. You should be treated fairly and with respect, just like an adult.
When you talk to someone from a government agency about how to get help or services, it should be easy to understand. If it’s not, we can help.
Our job is to help children and youth like you.
We will:
- Listen
- Treat you with respect
- Protect your privacy and safety
We can help in a lot of different ways, including in different languages. All you have to do is ask.
Use the “Make a complaint” button to tell us what you need.
We can do things like:
- Make sure your rights are respected and your voice is heard
- Help with school programs, bullying or busing
- Get your documents corrected or sent to you
- Connect with your case worker or other adult helpers
- Help with group home or foster home placements
- Find out if you can get benefits or supports, if you’re on your own
If you’re feeling lost or are not sure where to go, we’ll talk you through it.
How we help families
If you have a problem with a government program or service for children and families, we can help. We will listen, protect your privacy and make sure you are treated fairly.
We can help you with things like:
- Getting your child support payments, or other benefits owed to you
- Navigating support programs for children with special needs
- School board issues like special education, enrolment, busing and discipline
- Problems with university of college student loans or grants
- Receiving your child or spousal support payments, or other money or benefits owed to you
- Updating or correcting important documents like birth certificates, health cards or other identification
Use the “Make a complaint” button to tell us about your concerns.
Still have questions?
What we help with
You can ask us for help with hundreds of agencies and services, like:
- School boards (daycare to Grade 12)
- ServiceOntario (ID cards, driver’s licences)
- Family support (Family Responsibility Office, FRO)
- Ontario Autism Program
- Colleges and universities
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Children’s aid societies
- Foster homes and group homes
- Secure treatment facilities and youth justice centres
- Provincial and demonstration schools
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Here’s the full list of organizations you can complain to us about.
What we can’t do
Some things are just not part of our job. But if we can’t help, we’ll help you figure out who can.
Here are some things we can’t do:
- 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.
Results and positive change
More stories about how we've helped
Connecting with you
We meet directly with children and youth in a wide range of settings, and engage with numerous groups, professionals and volunteers who work with young people.
We regularly visit youth in group homes, foster homes, youth justice centres and provincial and demonstration schools. You can also find us all year round at a diverse array of events for young people, including Black, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Find out how to meet with our team or request a presentation or other materials.