Kinship Care and Customary Care in Ontario: A Guide for Families Navigating CAS

When a Children's Aid Society (CAS) becomes involved with a child, one of the first questions families ask is: can a relative step in? The answer is often yes — and Ontario's child protection system is designed to look for family connections before turning to strangers. That approach is called kinship care, and for Indigenous children there is a parallel path known as customary care. This guide explains how both work, so you can understand your options if CAS involvement touches your family.

Kinship care CAS Ontario placements keep children connected to the people and communities they already know. Research consistently shows that children do better in familiar environments, and Ontario's child protection legislation reflects that priority. Whether you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling, or a close family friend, you may have more standing than you realize.

A note before we begin: every family's situation is different, and child protection matters move quickly. If CAS is already involved with a child you care about, speaking with a lawyer early is one of the most useful things you can do.

What is kinship care?

Kinship care is a placement arrangement in which a child who cannot safely remain with a parent is placed with a relative or another person who has a significant relationship with the child or the child's family. The placement might be informal (agreed among family members) or formal (arranged and supervised by a CAS under a legal agreement or court order).

Ontario's child protection framework, set out in the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, gives preference to family-based placements when a child needs to be removed from the home. The idea is straightforward: if a child must leave, staying with someone they love and trust causes the least disruption to their development, identity, and sense of belonging.

Kinship care is distinct from traditional foster care. A kinship caregiver is someone with a pre-existing relationship to the child — not a stranger matched through a placement list.

Who can become a kinship caregiver?

CAS will look at anyone who has a meaningful connection to the child. Common examples include:

• Grandparents
• Aunts and uncles
• Adult siblings
• Cousins
• Godparents
• Close family friends who are known to the child

There is no rigid list. What matters is the nature of the relationship and whether the proposed caregiver can meet the child's physical, emotional, cultural, and developmental needs. You do not need to be a blood relative — a long-standing family friend can qualify if the relationship is genuine and the child has a real bond with that person.

The approval process

Becoming an approved kinship caregiver involves a review process. CAS needs to be satisfied that the home is safe and that the caregiver can meet the child's needs. The process typically includes:

Home study. A CAS worker will visit the home to assess the living environment, family dynamics, and the caregiver's capacity. They will ask about your relationship with the child, your daily routines, your support network, and any relevant history.

Police record checks. All adults in the household are expected to provide a criminal record check and, in most cases, a vulnerable sector check. A past record does not automatically disqualify someone — CAS looks at the nature and timing of any offences.

References. CAS may speak with people who know you and can speak to your character and parenting capacity.

Medical and other checks. Depending on the circumstances, CAS may ask for additional information to ensure the child's specific needs can be met.

The speed of this process can vary significantly. In urgent situations, CAS can place a child with a relative on a temporary basis while the full assessment is completed. If you want to be considered, it helps to reach out to CAS early and express your interest clearly.

Financial support for kinship caregivers

Taking on a child's care can be financially demanding. Ontario does provide financial support to approved kinship caregivers, though the type and amount depend on the legal arrangement in place and the child's individual needs.

Support may come through a formal kinship service agreement with CAS, or through a subsidy arrangement once a caregiver has obtained legal custody or guardianship through the courts. The rates and eligibility criteria are set by the province and by individual CAS agencies — as of writing, verify current amounts directly with your CAS or a lawyer, as these figures are subject to change.

Caregivers who adopt a child from CAS, or who take on legal custody, may also be eligible for ongoing adoption assistance or custody assistance programs. These are worth asking about specifically.

Customary care for Indigenous children

For First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, Ontario's child protection legislation recognizes a distinct pathway called customary care. Customary care allows an Indigenous child to be placed and cared for according to the customs, traditions, and practices of the child's community — without that child being removed into the mainstream child welfare system.

Customary care reflects the understanding that Indigenous communities have their own ways of caring for children that predate and exist alongside provincial systems. These traditions are legitimate and carry legal recognition under Ontario law.

How customary care differs from foster care

The differences are meaningful:

• Cultural continuity. Customary care is designed to keep Indigenous children connected to their language, culture, and community — something mainstream foster care has historically failed to do.
• Community authority. The child's Indigenous community or Nation has a central role in determining the placement and the terms of care, rather than CAS having full authority.
• Flexible structure. Customary care arrangements can reflect practices that do not map neatly onto Western legal concepts of guardianship or custody.
• Legal recognition. Ontario's legislation explicitly supports customary care agreements, and courts are directed to give weight to them.

If you are an Indigenous family member or community member, you have the right to ask CAS about customary care options and to involve your Nation or community in the process.

Rights and responsibilities of kinship caregivers

As a kinship caregiver, you take on real responsibilities for a child's daily life — housing, meals, school, medical care, and emotional support. At the same time, you have rights:

• You can request information about the child's needs and any services available to support you.
• You can raise concerns with CAS if you disagree with decisions being made about the child.
• Depending on the legal arrangement, you may be able to apply to the court for custody or guardianship if a long-term placement becomes the plan.

The legal relationship between you, CAS, and the child's parents will depend on what type of agreement or court order is in place. It is worth understanding that distinction clearly — a lawyer can walk you through what your specific arrangement means for your rights and obligations.

How to step forward when a child needs a family placement

If CAS is involved with a child you care about and you want to be considered as a caregiver, here is how to start:

1. Contact CAS directly. Call the CAS that has the file and tell them you are a relative or close connection who wants to be considered. Do this as soon as possible — early contact matters.
2. Gather your documents. You will likely need identification, proof of address, and to arrange police checks for all adults in your home.
3. Be prepared for home visits. CAS will need to assess your home and speak with you about your capacity to care for the child.
4. Ask about financial support. Find out what assistance is available before you commit, so there are no surprises.
5. Get legal advice. A family lawyer can help you understand the difference between a CAS agreement, a custody order, and an adoption — and which path makes sense for your family's situation.

Frequently asked questions