FAQ

A young person who is unreasonably late but for whom you have no specific reason to fear is not automatically “missing” under MCFD policy, though they can become so depending on circumstances. Take the steps a prudent, responsible parent would before escalating: try to contact the young person directly by phone or text, reach out to friends, coaches, teachers, or others who might know where they are, and check the places they are likely to be. If you locate them, no further action may be needed, but always notify the social worker of what happened.

One exception: if a youth is on probation and breaches their conditions, including curfew or required check-ins, you must immediately contact the social worker or Centralized Screening, or Police/RCMP.

Source: Foster Family Handbook

A child or youth is considered missing under MCFD policy when their whereabouts are unknown and there are concerns about their safety. Safety concerns include vulnerability due to age, disability, mental health, or addictions; being emotionally distraught, suicidal, or at risk of harming themselves or others; extreme weather or inadequate clothing; suspicious circumstances suggesting a crime; behaviour out of character; a possible accident; or whereabouts unknown since the previous night. If any of these apply, immediately call Police/RCMP to report a missing child in care, and also notify the child’s social worker or Centralized Screening. Do not wait to see whether the young person returns on their own when safety risk factors are present.

If the social worker is unavailable, reach Centralized Screening (provincial after-hours) at 1-800-663-9122. For immediate danger call 911; for lower-urgency situations use the local non-emergency police line. After any incident, record what happened, the steps you took, and when the young person was located, and discuss it with the social worker at the earliest opportunity.

Source: Foster Family Handbook

MCFD requires immediate notification of any emergency that seriously affects a child in care. That includes medical crises, accidents, and serious injuries; arrests or involvement in criminal activity; suicide attempts or serious self-harm; the child running away or going missing; abduction; serious behavioural incidents at home, school, or in the community; and death.

This list isn’t exhaustive. If a situation feels urgent and outside the scope of your normal day-to-day caregiving, treat it as an emergency and contact the child’s social worker — during office hours first, and the after-hours line outside them.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

If you or a member of your household is physically or psychologically injured as a result of an assault by a child in care or a member of the child’s family, notify the child’s social worker as soon as possible. A social worker will be assigned to help your family deal with the incident.

If anyone needs urgent medical attention or is in immediate danger, call 911 first, then make the notification. You don’t have to manage the aftermath on your own — support is there for your whole family.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

Call the Poison Control Centre at 1-800-567-8911 — it operates anywhere in British Columbia, 24 hours a day. Use it any time a child has swallowed, touched, or been exposed to something you’re concerned about: medications, household chemicals, plants, or an unknown substance.

If the child is having trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is otherwise in a life-threatening state, call 911 first. When in doubt, make the call — Poison Control would rather hear from you early.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

Call the Ministry Helpline for Children at 310-1234 — anywhere in British Columbia, 24 hours a day, with no area code required. This is the right number to report suspected abuse or neglect of any child, including a child in your care, and it is staffed around the clock.

If you’re calling after hours and aren’t sure of the number, you can dial the operator and ask for the Ministry Helpline for Children. For an immediate safety emergency, call 911 first.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

It helps to think of two kinds of calls. An “I’m worried” call is for a concern that hasn’t reached crisis but looks like it might — make these during business hours to the child’s social worker or your resource worker, and make them early rather than waiting for a problem to grow. A “help” call is for something urgent happening right now — use the emergency and after-hours lines for those.

If you can’t tell which kind of call you’re making, make it anyway. Support staff would far rather help you early than step in late, and asking for help is never a sign you’re doing something wrong.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

Yes — the Foster Parent Support Line at 1-888-495-9122 is a confidential service funded by MCFD and staffed by experienced professionals. It’s there for urgent concerns that arise outside regular office hours: professional consultation, information about MCFD policy and procedure, and help thinking through a difficult situation that can’t wait until the next business day but isn’t a 911 emergency.

Hours are 4:00 p.m. to 12:45 a.m., Monday to Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. on weekends and statutory holidays. If you call outside those hours, leave a message and staff will return your call as soon as they can.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

They’re two different lines for two different kinds of help. The Foster Parent Support Line is an MCFD-funded service for urgent, after-hours consultation — thinking through a difficult situation or a question about ministry policy that can’t wait. The BCFPA Fosterline at 1-800-663-9999 is run by the BC Foster Parents Association and is the one to use for membership and insurance questions, advocacy support, information about BCFPA programmes and member benefits, and general caregiver consultation when the Support Line isn’t open. The Fosterline runs 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For an immediate safety emergency, neither of these is the right call — dial 911, and use the emergency and crisis contacts for after-hours ministry response.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide

Several dedicated lines exist for exactly this — a day that’s escalating, a child in distress after hours, a question that can’t wait. They’re staffed by people who know foster care and can help you think through what to do. For after-hours consultation, the Foster Parent Support Line is there; for membership, insurance, and advocacy matters, the BCFPA Fosterline; and during business hours, your CFS Area Coordinator for support, consultation, or referral.

If you’re ever unsure whether something is “urgent enough” to call, err on the side of calling. These lines exist so you don’t have to navigate hard situations alone. For an immediate safety emergency, call 911, and use the emergency and crisis contacts for after-hours ministry response.

Sources: Foster Family Handbook; Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide