What Happens When You Call
We understand that you may be hesitant to call The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa with questions or to report your concerns about a child, youth, or family.
If you are not sure whether to call, we recommend that you do. Your call lets us know about a child, youth or family that may be in need of support, and will give you peace of mind that you did your part to help.
While one call from the community may not always result in CASO’s involvement, different calls about the same children or family allow us to identify patterns of concern, which may indicate the need for further assistance.
Who Can Call the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa?
Anyone can call us 24/7 at 613-747-7800 if you have a concern about the safety or well-being of a child under the age of 18. We receive phone calls from concerned family members, friends, neighbours, as well as professionals who care for children, such as health care workers and teachers. Additionally, children and youth who have worries about their safety at home, and caregivers who need help also reach out to us for support.
What Happens When You Call?
When you call The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, you will be connected with one of our assessment workers who will listen to your concerns, explain the services we offer, and ask questions to determine how much (if any) support a family may need.
Often, we can provide assistance over the phone. Other times, we may visit with a family to discuss together if there are ways we can help. If a child is at risk, we may visit a family right away.
Duty to Report
Professionals who work with children are required to report abuse or neglect concerns if they suspect a child is in need of protection. Learn more about signs of abuse and neglect, and your duty to report.
Next Steps
Most often, children do best when they are at home with their families. Our priority is always to give parents the support they need to create a stable home. In only a small number of cases are children removed from a family. If this has to happen, we first look for a family member or friend to care for the child while we work to strengthen the family’s caregiving skills and create a safe home.