In BC, a law called the Child, Family and Community Service Act protects children. This law includes these principles (rules) to keep children safe and well cared for:
- Children have a right to be protected from abuse, neglect, and harm or threat of harm.
- The best place for children to live is usually with their families.
- Parents are mainly responsible for protecting their children.
- If parents need help to care for their children, the social worker should tell them of available support services and provide these support services.
- Children’s opinions should be taken into account when people or agencies are making decisions about them.
- Children’s ties to family, including to the extended family, should be kept, if possible.
- Decisions about children’s care should be made and acted on as quickly as possible.
- Indigenous families and Indigenous communities share responsibility for the upbringing and well-being of Indigenous children.
- Indigenous children should stay in their cultural communities, if possible.
- Indigenous children should have the opportunity to learn about and practise their Indigenous traditions, cultures, and languages, and belong to their community.
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A new federal law, called An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, came into effect in January 2020. Its key elements include:
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