Child protection

You can get free legal help if you or the other parent are being investigated for a child protection matter. If a social worker from the ministry or a delegated Aboriginal agency contacts you to ask questions about your family, call Legal Aid BC immediately to see if you qualify for a free lawyer.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get help from a lawyer and advocate at a Parents Legal Centre. Legal Aid BC provides this service to help parents who are dealing with child protection issues. The service is available any time after the ministry or a delegated Aboriginal agency contacts you.

Call Parents Legal Centre at 1-888-522-2752 (1-888-LABC-PLC) to find out if there’s a location near you and if you qualify for help.

The law in BC says Indigenous cultural ties are very important for Indigenous children. The child protection process recognizes an Indigenous child’s right to their cultural identity and connection to their Indigenous communities when planning for their care. The child protection process is evolving with the BC government’s recognition and support of the rights of Indigenous communities to make laws and provide their own child and family services. 

See An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families for the Best Interests of Indigenous Child provisions.

To find out more about child protection and Indigenous families, see the resources Keeping Aboriginal Kids Safe and Parents’ Rights, Kids’ Rights on the Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC website.