The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has taken action to strengthen public awareness of the legal duty to report concerns about a child or youth’s safety or well-being under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA). 

This work is informed by the Representative for Children and Youth’s Don’t Look Away report, which highlighted the importance of timely reporting and coordinated response when concerns arise. 

 

To support community partners and service providers, MCFD is sharing updated information and resources to help ensure children and youth in British Columbia are safe, supported, and connected to help when they need it. 
 

What You Need to Know 
• If a child or youth is in immediate danger, call 911. 
• To make a report, call 1-800-663-9122, any time, day or night (Provincial Centralized Screening).  
• Telling a colleague or supervisor does not fulfill your duty — the person with the concern must make the report. 
• You don’t need to be certain. If you’re worried, call. You can call again if you remain concerned. 

To further support professionals and community members, MCFD has updated the BC Handbook for Responding to Child Welfare Concerns: for Service Providers. The handbook outlines how to recognize, and report concerns and reflects our shared role in keeping children and youth safe. 

 

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) is hosting Duty to Report Awareness Sessions to support shared understanding of the legal obligation to report suspected child abuse or neglect under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA).  

These sessions introduce updated resources and plain-language guidance as part of MCFD’s refreshed provincial Duty to Report campaign.  

This session will cover:
• What Duty to Report means and how to make a report 
• What happens after you call 
• Updates to the B.C. Handbooks for Responding to Child Welfare Concerns (Public and Service Provider), and common questions and myths we hear from service providers and partners  

Check out the file below to register for an upcoming Duty to Report Awareness session!