Understanding Aboriginal delegated agencies

If a child protection worker tells you that you're being investigated for a child protection matter, he or she may be working for a delegated agency.

 

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What is an Aboriginal delegated agency?

Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development and provide child welfare services. Child protection laws in BC recognize the importance of Aboriginal family ties to Aboriginal children. Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of an effort to restore the responsibilities of child protection and family support to Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal delegated agencies may have the power to remove your child from your home and place your child in care.

Important: Whether you're being investigated by the ministry or an Aboriginal delegated agency, you have the right to get a lawyer. Contact the legal aid office in your area immediately to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer, or call 1-866-577-2525 (no charge). For more information on how to get a lawyer and the other resources available to you, see Who can help.

What do Aboriginal delegated agencies do?

Aboriginal delegated agencies may offer the following services:

• support services for the whole family,
• help with preparing voluntary care agreements for children,
• help with writing, monitoring, and reviewing your child's plan of care,
• help with writing special needs agreements for you child if your child has special needs,
• monitoring how your child is doing while he or she is in care, and
• help for youth who are moving towards independence.

Some Aboriginal delegated agencies may also have the power to:

• receive and investigate reports of child abuse and neglect,
• remove your child from your home and place him or her in a relative's care (such as an aunt, uncle, or grandparent), and
• get supervision orders to make sure your child is safe and healthy.

Where can I find an Aboriginal delegated agency?

Aboriginal delegated agencies work with families living on and off reserve across BC.

If you live on reserve, your band may already be involved with an Aboriginal delegated agency. If you live off reserve, your local city or town may have an Aboriginal organization that is also a delegated agency. The ministry's website has a full list of the Aboriginal delegated agencies across BC; check the list to find out if your band or community is involved.

Or, if you live in Greater Vancouver or Victoria, call one of the numbers below.

In Greater Vancouver, you can contact the following Aboriginal delegated agencies:

• Aboriginal Child and Family Services (Vancouver)
  604-872-6723 or 1-877-982-2377 (call no charge)
• Métis Family Services (Surrey)
  604-584-6621

In Victoria, you can contact Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services at 250-383-2990.

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What can I do if I'm being investigated for a child protection matter?

Call legal aid

If you're being investigated for a child protection matter by the ministry or an Aboriginal delegated agency, you have the right to get a lawyer. Contact the legal aid office in your area immediately to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer, or call 1-866-577-2525. For more information on how to get a lawyer and the other resources available to you, see Who can help.

Ask for support

If you're being investigated by the ministry and your band or Aboriginal community is represented by an Aboriginal delegated agency, you can ask the ministry to inform the delegated agency of the investigation.

Whether you're being investigated by the ministry or an Aboriginal delegated agency, you can ask for a representative from your band or friendship centre (such as a child protection worker) who will support you during the investigation and make sure your child stays connected to his or her Aboriginal family and community.

Find out more

The following resources may be of help to you and your family:

• Our fact sheet Understanding Aboriginal Delegated Agencies
• Our fact sheet Understanding Aboriginal Child Protection / Removal Matters
• Our wallet card Your Right to Get a Lawyer
• Our poster outlining the Aboriginal Child Protection Process
• Our fact sheet Child protection and the Aboriginal community

To see what other kinds of resources are available to you, return to the Aboriginal people community page.

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