What Is Kinship Service and Kinship Care in Ontario Child Protection?
Words like kinship service, kinship care and customary care can sound alike, but how each applies to your family depends on your situation, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer. The Ontario government describes kinship care as a form of foster care in which a child in the care of a children's aid society is placed with a relative or member of the child's community. For a planned placement with a relative or a member of the child's extended family or community, the society must check that the caregiver can provide a safe home.
For a planned placement with a relative or a member of the child's extended family or community, the society checks the caregiver by interviewing them, meeting the child privately, assessing the home and identifying every adult 18 or older living there. For a First Nations, Inuk or Métis child, the society must first consult each of the child's bands and communities. Before placing a child in society care, a court must also consider placing the child with a relative, neighbour or community member, under supervision and with that person's consent.
Financial support can also differ between these arrangements, so ask about it early and consider getting legal advice before agreeing to anything.
Key takeaways
- The Ontario government describes kinship care as a form of foster care where a child in a children's aid society's care is placed with a relative or member of the child's community.
- For a planned placement with a relative or member of the child's extended family or community, the society must check that the caregiver can provide a safe home.
- For a First Nations, Inuk or Métis child, the society must consult each of the child's bands and communities before the kinship placement steps begin.
- Before placing a child in society care, the court must consider a relative, neighbour or community member under supervision and with that person's consent.