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Child & Family Services Statistical Report - 2000-2001 to 2003-2004

Nunavut

Introduction

The data presented in this section were provided by the Department of Health and Social Services, Nunavut. Data are provided for the following areas:

  1. Children in Care - cases where there has been a transfer of custody and/or guardianship.

Data includes all Aboriginal children in care.

Nunavut data should not be compared with data for other jurisdictions due to the limitations outlined in the Preface.

Children in Care

Table 1.1
Children in Care1, by Legal Status, as at January 31, 2006
Legal Status Baffin Kitikmeot Kivalliq Total
Temporary Care        
Plan of Care Agreement2 35 30 5 70
Apprehension 4 0 6 10
Supervision Order 5 0 0 5
Temporary Custody 0 12 12 24
Custody by Agreement 0 0 0 0
Voluntary Support Agreement 64 18 48 130
Support Services Agreement 14 0 5 19
Adjournment Order 9 2 1 12
Subtotal 131 62 77 270
Permanent Care        
Permanent Custody 28 19 15 62
Total 159 81 92 332
1. See Glossary for definition of children in care.
2. The Plan of Care Agreement is entrenched in the Child and Family Services Act as a legal agreement that allows child protection workers and parents to reach a care agreement without having to bring the matter before the court for a temporary custody order. These agreements are only to be used when it is believed that a child is in need of protection.

Table 1.2
Aboriginal Children in Care1, by Legal Status, as at January 31, 2006
Legal Status January 31, 2006
Temporary Care  
Plan of Care Agreement2 70
Apprehension 10
Supervision Order 5
Temporary Custody 24
Custody by Agreement 0
Voluntary Support Agreement 130
Support Services Agreement 19
Subtotal 258
Permanent Care  
Permanent Custody 62
Total 320
1. See Glossary for definition of children in care.
2. The Plan of Care Agreement is entrenched in the Child and Family Services Act as a legal agreement that allows child protection workers and parents to reach a care agreement without having to bring the matter before the court for a temporary custody order. These agreements are only to be used when it is believed that a child is in need of protection.

Table 1.3
Children in Care1, by Placement Type, as at January 31, 2006
Placement Type Baffin Kitikmeot Kivalliq Total
Parent’s Care2 14 13 5 32
Foster Home3 114 52 57 223
Group Home/Treatment Centre 12 15 19 46
Independent Living 14 - 2 16
Other4 (Alternative Medical Care) 6 1 10 17
Total 160 81 93 334
1. See Glossary for definition of children in care.
2. Parents Care usually refers to children placed in parent’s care under a Supervision Order.
3. Foster Home includes all Nunavut foster home types and children placed in southern foster homes.
4. Includes children in hospitals, young offender facilities or in a room and board setting.

Glossary of Terms

Child: A person under 16 years of age. A child who is in the permanent care of the Director may have guardianship extended to age 19.
Children in Care: Children who have been apprehended or is the subject of Plan of Care Agreement, Voluntary Care Agreement, Supervision Order, Temporary Custody Order, Permanent Custody Order (including extensions to age 19 and voluntary relinquishment for adoption).
Plan of Care Agreement: The Director assumes custody, but not guardianship, of a child for up to one year. The maximum term, including extensions, is two years. These children are considered to be at risk as defined in the Child and Family Services Act.
Voluntary Care Agreement: Voluntary Care Agreements include Voluntary Support Agreements (VSA) and the Support Service Agreements (SSA). The VSA provides support services to children from 0 up to age 16. The SSA provides support services for youth 16 up to 19 years of age. Children under VSA’s are not at risk as defined in the Child and Family Services Act. The child’s parent(s) retain custody and guardianship. The initial term is six months, with provision for additional six (6) month renewals. For youth 16-19 years old, their agreement to the proposed plan is required.
Supervision Order: Child stays at home, under the supervision of the Director. The parents retain custody and guardianship. The initial term is for up to one year, with provision for renewal for one additional year.
Temporary Custody Order: Custody and guardianship are temporarily transferred to the Director (temporary care). The initial order may be for up to one year; with extensions, the total term may not exceed 24 consecutive months.
Permanent Guardianship Order: Custody and guardianship of a child are permanently transferred to the Director. The initial order may be extended to age 19 if the child is still in school or handicapped.
Voluntary Relinquishment of a Child: Parent voluntarily relinquishes the child to the Director. The child is in the care of the Director but not apprehended. The matter is brought to Court to obtain a permanent order.

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Date Modified:
2007-11-26