5,310
edits
Changes
→The child protection process
==The child protection process==
Legal Aid BC has helpful factsheets and other information about the child protection process. See the Resources and Links heading under this section. ===If What happens if you are reported to MCFD or an Indigenous authority===
A parent may be reported to MCFD or an Indigenous authority because of a protection concern.
====Legal help for reported parents====
It is important that parents who are reported for a protection concern get legal advice as soon as possible. Getting legal advice about your rights with the MCFD early in the process is important, for sure, but getting legal advice in the later stages of an investigation is even more important! You can contact Legal Aid BC to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer. Contact your local Parents Legal Centre at 1-888-522-2752 (1-888-LABC-PLC), or find a lawyer who represents parents in child protection proceedings. If Legal Aid BC determines you are not eligible for a lawyer for your child protection matter, you may be able to apply to the courts and ask that a lawyer be appointed to represent you. This request for lawyer representation is called a ''JG application''.
When a court considers a ''"JG applications'' application," it decides whether or not to appoint a lawyer for someone who was denied legal aid, but is facing a complicated child protection hearing and cannot afford to pay for a lawyerthemself. You can find the necessary forms and application materials for a JG application on the Legal Aid BC website. The person applying must be found to be ''indigent'' in order to succeed in their application. Being found to be ''"indigent'' " is not limited to rare or exceptional cases, but it does depend on the financial and other circumstances of the person applying.
====Child protection investigations====
A social worker's first step when starting an investigation is usually to contact the person who is the subject of the report. They may decide to visit the child's home, interview one or both parents, and interview the child. They may also ask the parent for ''collaterals,'' which are people the parent knows who can vouch for their parenting abilities. These collaterals could be the child's family doctor, teachers, daycare providers, counsellors, family members, and other relatives. The social worker may reach out and contact some or all of these collaterals in the course of their investigation.