Mandate & Legislation

Our legislative authority and mandate derives from the province's jurisdiction in social services.  The legislation that articulates this jurisdiction for children is called The Child and Family Services Act, l984 (CFSA).  This Act integrates a number of pieces of legislation and specific parts of it define and describe the mandate, function, and responsibilities of a Children's Aid Society The CAS of Brant is currently looking at updating the present protocol in light of the recent September 2000, changes to the CFSA.

  

The functions of a Children's Aid Society are to: 

  • investigate allegations or evidence that children who are under the age of sixteen years or are in the Society's care or under its supervision may be in need of protection;

  • protect, where necessary, children who are under the age of sixteen years or are in the Society's care or under its supervision;

  • provide guidance, counselling and other services to families for protecting children or for the prevention of circumstances requiring the protection of children;

  • provide care for children assigned or committed to its care under this Act;

  • supervise children assigned to its supervision under this Act;

  • place children for adoption under Part VII; and

  • perform any other duties given to it by this or any other Act.

A Society shall:  

  • provide the prescribed standard of services in its performance of its functions; and

  • follow the prescribed procedures and practices.

The authority to carry out these functions is described in this  legislation and if a Society is unable to perform any or all of its functions as outlined above, the Minister may Section 22. - (1) (f) (i) (ii) (iii)) in the case of a Society:

 

(i)      revoke or suspend the designation under subsection 15 (2);

 

(ii)     remove any or all of the members of the Board of Directors and

        appoint others in their place; or

 

(iii)    operate and manage the Society in the place of the Board of

        Directors.

 

This legislative mandate is further defined through the Service Plan.  This is an annual plan which outlines in great detail how our Society will in our specified jurisdiction provide programs and services to meet the particular needs of children and families so as to carry out the functions outlined above.

 

While the legislation broadly defines the mandate, functions and responsibilities, it is the Service Plan that articulates just what and how this mandate will be met in specific communities in any specific year.

 

In summary, we derive our legislative mandate from the Child and Family Service Act.  Section 15 describes the functions and responsibilities of a Children's Aid Society and our annual Service Plan tells how we will carry out those functions with the financial and physical human resources available to us.


THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF BRANT VISION STATEMENT

  • All children will be safe, supported, encouraged and nurtured in order to achieve their potential.

  • All children will have their inherent right to be children protected.

  • All children will be valued members of a family and community.

  • Each family will be valued as the primary source of safety, stability and nurturing.

  • Each family will promote a sense of belonging and cultural identity for its members.

  • Families will demonstrate a value system that affirms respect, dignity, self-reliance and commitment to responsible parenting and citizenship.

  • Families will have sufficient resources and opportunities to realize their potential as hopeful and responsible citizens.

  • The community will promote economic and social well-being of its members. enabling them to live in harmony.

  • The community will be respectful and responsive to the environment and to the needs and rights of all its members.


THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF BRANT PURPOSE STATEMENT

 

The Children's Aid Society of Brant will work with families and the community to safeguard a permanent, nurturing family for all children at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment.

 

In response to our commitment to strengthen and value families, we will work to recognize and use the strengths of families in all assessments, decision-making, and actions.

 

We share with the community the responsibility for protecting children and strengthening families.

 

We will work in collaboration with the community to achieve this purpose.


THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF BRANT DEFINITION OF THE FAMILY

A self-defined system of relationships caused by birth or circumstance, whose members rely upon one another for sustenance, support, security, socialization and/or stimulation - focused on and guided by the needs of the youngest and oldest members in the system.