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Rights and responsibilities of clients receiving Child or Family Services

Last updated on March 3, 2026

You have the right to:

  • Be provided with timely and accessible service.
  • Be treated courteously and respectfully.
  • Have your input considered in decisions regarding your services.
  • Have your information kept confidential.
  • Clearly understand what is required of you.
  • Be able to provide feedback or express concerns.
  • Be provided with clear and timely communication.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Be respectful in your interaction with staff.  Verbal or written communication that is threatening, abusive, derogatory or bullying will not be tolerated.
  • Seek our consent prior to recording conversations.
  • Act in a manner that does not disrupt or negatively affect our ability to engage with you.
  • Do not undermine the physical safety or emotional well-being of staff.

Children and youth have specific rights about the care they receive:

If you think a child or youth is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child protection worker. Phone 1-800-663-9122 at any time of the day or night.

Your call will be answered by Provincial Centralized Screening (PCS). Their primary role is to receive and assess child protection reports and requests for support services across the province, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

If a child or youth is in immediate danger, call police (call 9-1-1 or your local police) to intervene and then call a child protection worker.

There is a complaint process if you have concerns about the decisions or services provided by MCFD.