If your friend tells you something that makes you worried that your friend  or another child is not being treated well or is being harmed by their parent, caregiver or another person,  you should speak to a trusted adult right away. The trusted person can then help you bring your concerns to the attention of a social worker with the child protection agency who can check on your friend and help and support the family.

A social worker may have received a call or a report from someone concerned about your (or your sibling’s) care and safety. The social worker must investigate to determine if you (or your siblings) are being looked after in a good way and are safe in your home.

When a child is in care it means that the child protection agency is concerned for their care and safety, and so the child is placed outside their family home.

There are social workers for each part of the child welfare process:

• • Social workers who receive calls, referrals and reports about your care
  • Social workers who look into those concerns about your care
  • Social workers who work with children and families
  • Social workers who work with foster, kinship, customary parents and children placed in foster, kinship and customary care homes
  • Social workers who work with children and families when adoption is being considered

Some possible options are to go live with and be cared for by:

• • An adult member of your family,
  • An adult who lives in your community,
  • An adult who lives in another Indigenous community other than your own, or
  • Another adult.

The social worker will need to consider placing you with or near your siblings and take into account the customs and traditions of your community. The social worker must also continue to review whether you can return to your parents or caregiver’s care.

Your social worker’s job is to make sure you are in a safe and nurturing environment and that you have healthy relationships with the people around you. If you are not connected to someone who is important in your life, talk to your social worker about getting to visit with them. Even if you are in care, you should have connection with your siblings and family.

The social worker involved with you and your family will consider the safety concerns they have for your siblings and decide where they can live. Your siblings may be able to stay with your parents or caregiver or may be placed in the home you’re in or even in different home than you. If you are not together with your siblings, your social worker should look at ways for you to be connected with them. The social worker must also continue to review whether your siblings can return to your parents’ or caregiver’s care.

You have a right to have your wishes and preferences heard by the court. Two ways this can happen are:

• • A Guardian ad litem may be appointed to help you express your wishes and preferences to the judge in court if you are between the ages of 12 and 16.
  • If you are 16 or older, you have a right to access a lawyer to help represent you in court.

If you are between the ages 16 and 19, contact a child protection agency to see if they can help you with placement and supportive services.