At Ombudsman Ontario, we are here to help all young people and their families get fair treatment from public services. We make sure children and teens know their rights and their voices are heard.
We play an integral role overseeing child protection services, including:
- Children’s aid societies
- Indigenous child and family well-being agencies
- Foster homes
- Group homes
- Secure treatment centres
- Youth justice facilities
As part of our role, we make sure service providers understand their obligations to respect and uphold the rights of children and youth in care.
Your obligations as service providers
Under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) and the Ombudsman Act, service providers have specific obligations to uphold the rights of young people in care.
If you are a service provider funded under the CYFSA, you must help children and youth exercise their rights, including:
- Make reasonable efforts to identify and provide the supports needed
- Document how you assisted or why you did not provide support, including reasons for these decisions
Children’s aid societies and residential licensees are required to:
Inform young people about the Ombudsman
- Tell them about the Ombudsman’s role and that we’re here to help them
- Explain how they can contact the Ombudsman clearly and in a way they will understand
Ensure private communication
- Give young people in care a way to contact the Ombudsman privately and without delay
- Allow young people to speak in private with, visit and receive visits from the Ombudsman’s Office staff
- Make sure staff do not read written communications to or from the Ombudsman to a child in care
Display informational materials
- Display notices about the Ombudsman’s Office prominently
- Give out materials about the Ombudsman to young people
Report death or serious bodily harm incidents
In cases of death or serious bodily harm involving a child or youth who has sought or received services within the past 12 months, children’s aid societies CASs and residential licensees must:
- Notify the Ombudsman’s Office in writing without unreasonable delay
- Submit a report through our death or serious bodily harm form below
Notify us of a death or serious bodily harm incident
Support and resources
We provide resources and information.
For service providers:
- Info Sheet: Guidance for service providers
- Brochure: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for service providers
- Brochure in Ojibwe: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for service providers
- Brochure in Oji-Cree: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for service providers
- Brochure in Moose-Cree: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for service providers
- Brochure in Mohawk: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for service providers
- Contact cards typed and in braille
- Posters for display in various sizes
For children and young people:
- Brochure: Ask the Ombudsman - Answers for Children and Youth in Care
- Brochure in Ojibwe: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for Children and Youth in Care
- Brochure in Oji-Cree: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for Children and Youth in Care
- Brochure in Moose-Cree: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for Children and Youth in Care
- Brochure in Mohawk: Ask the Ombudsman – Answers for Children and Youth in Care
- One-pager: Know your rights in care
- One-pager: Know your rights in care with the medicine wheel
Understand the Ombudsman’s role
We regularly visit group homes, foster homes, youth justice facilities, and provincial and demonstration schools to speak with residents and staff.
We would be happy to meet with your organization to:
- Discuss our role
- Explain how we help young people
- Let you know what you can expect if we contact you
Contact us at info@ombudsman.on.ca for more information.