The field of Child Welfare is focused on improving the health, well-being, education and safety of children and youth. In Ontario, many organizations work to ensure the well-being and safety of children. However, Ontario’s 53 Children’s Aid Societies and Family and Children’s Services are the only child welfare agencies mandated by the Ontario Government to protect children from harm. Children’s Aid Societies work with service partners and the community to ensure the safety, well-being and stability of children and youth. Community partners such as hospitals, schools, community service agencies and police services work together with Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies to prevent abuse and neglect, improve child safety, maintain children’s health and wellness and support and strengthen families to better care for children.

Learn more about child welfare in Ontario -- it's history, how a Children’s Aid Society works, how and when to report child abuse. Learn about how you can help protect children and youth from abuse and neglect reporting child abuse, our child abuse prevention campaign, becoming a foster parent, adopting a child in Ontario and changes in Child Welfare.