Review of the proposed removal of a child from your foster home

The CFSRB conducts hearings on the removal, or proposed removal, of a foster child from your care. If your foster child is in extended society care and has been in your care continuously for two years, you can apply to the CFSRB using Form 1: Application about the Proposed Removal of a Child from a Foster Home . For more information, see Review of the proposed removal of a child you’re your foster home.

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Complaint against a children’s aid society

If you have sought or received services from a children’s aid society and have concerns about these services, you may have a right to complain to the CFSRB for one or more of these reasons:

• the children’s aid society did not give you a chance to be heard when you raised your concerns
• the children’s aid society did not give you a chance to be heard when decisions that affected your interests were made
• the children’s aid society did not give you reasons for its decisions that affect your interests
• the children’s aid society refused to proceed with your complaint
• the children’s aid society did not follow its complaint review process or timelines

You can apply to the CFSRB using Form 2: Application about Complaints Against a Children’s Aid Society . For more information, see Complaint against a children’s aid society.

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Review of an adoption refusal or removal

The CFSRB conducts hearings related to two types of adoption matters:

• a refusal of your application to adopt a child, or
• the removal of a child that has been placed with you for adoption

You may apply to the CFSRB for a review using Form 3: Application for Review of an Adoption Refusal . For more information, see Review of an adoption refusal and/or Review of the removal of a child placed with you for adoption.

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Appeal a school board expulsion

The CFSRB hears appeals of school boards’ decisions to expel a student. You may apply to the CFSRB using Form 4: Appeal of School Board Expulsion Decision . For more information, see Appeal of a school board expulsion decision.

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Review an Emergency Secure Treatment Admission (ESTA)

The CFSRB reviews the emergency admission of a child to a secure treatment program.

You may apply to the CFSRB if you are a child, or know a child who was recently admitted to an emergency secure treatment program of up to 30 days.

You may apply to the CFSRB using Form 5: Application for Review of Emergency Admission to Secure Treatment Program (ESTA) . For more information, see Review of an Emergency Admission to Secure Treatment (ESTA) program.

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Review of a residential placement (a foster, group, or treatment home)

The CFSRB conducts hearings on the residential placement in a foster, group, or treatment home for a child who is at least 12 years old. A Residential Placement Advisory Committee (RPAC) must have reviewed the placement before you can apply for a review of your residential placement with the CFSRB.

If you disagree with your placement, you may apply by using Form 7: Application for Review of a Residential Placement . For more information, see Review of a residential placement.

What you need to know before you file an application

If you are a foster parent who wants to challenge the removal, or proposed removal, of a foster child from your care, you may apply for a review to the Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB) if your foster child is in extended society care and has been in your care continuously for at least two years.

You can be represented by a lawyer or paralegal or you can represent yourself. Tribunals Ontario’s Practice Direction on Representation provides additional information on representation of parties and their responsibilities.

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Deadline for filing an application

The children’s aid society must give you written notice of its decision to remove your foster child. After you receive the notice, you have 10 days to apply to the CFSRB for a review. The children’s aid society cannot remove your foster child during that time unless there is a likely risk of harm to the child.

If it has been more than 10 days since you received the notice and you would like to apply for a review, contact the CFSRB. If the notice is incomplete, you may still be able to apply.

If a children’s aid society removes your foster child, or informs you it intends to remove your child without sending written notice, contact the CFSRB immediately. You may be eligible to apply for a review.

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Filing an application

To apply for a review, download the Form 1: Application about the Proposed Removal of a Child from a Foster Home or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616 and we will email or mail you a copy.

Ensure you include all important events, conversations, dates and details on your application.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For more information about how to submit your application, visit Forms and filing.

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After you file

The CFSRB will notify the children’s aid society that you have filed an application. If the child is First Nations, Métis or Inuk, we will also notify the child’s band or Indigenous community.

Within seven days, the CFSRB will decide if your application is eligible to proceed. If your application is not eligible to be heard by the CFSRB, we will send you a decision explaining why. If your application is eligible, you will receive a decision confirming eligibility and a Notice of Hearing indicating the date of the first day of your hearing.

Unless there is a likely risk of harm to the child, the children’s aid society cannot remove the child from your home until the hearing has taken place, and then only if the CFSRB has confirmed the proposed removal.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The hearing

It is important to resolve disputes about the proposed removal of a foster child as soon as possible. This goal is reflected in the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and associated regulations which require hearings to start within 20 days of being found eligible. Hearings are normally held by video proceeding.

The first day of the hearing will identify any preliminary issues, give directions about evidence and witnesses, set further hearing dates, discuss potential mediation, and deal with any other necessary procedural matters.

At the hearing continuation, a panel of three adjudicators will hear your application. You and the children’s aid society will each have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question you or any of the witnesses. The children’s aid society will present its evidence first.

Hearings can last multiple days. All hearings are private. You may have one support person with you during the hearing.

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The decision

The panel will consider the evidence and arguments and determine what action is in the child’s best interests. The CFSRB will either:

• confirm the children’s aid society’s decision, in which case, the child will be removed from your care, or
• order the children’s aid society not to remove the child, in which case, the child will remain in your care

The CFSRB will issue an order no more than 10 days after the hearing ends. A decision with full reasons is generally released 30 days after the hearing ends.

The decision cannot be appealed. However, in limited circumstances, you can request a judicial review of the decision from the Divisional Court.

Reasons for submitting a complaint about a children’s aid society

If you have sought or received services from a children’s aid society and have concerns about these services, you may have a right to complain to the CFSRB for one or more of these reasons:

• the children’s aid society did not give you a chance to be heard when you raised your concerns
• the children’s aid society did not give you a chance to be heard when decisions that affected your interests were made
• the children’s aid society did not give you reasons for its decisions that affect your interests
• the children’s aid society refused to proceed with your complaint
• the children’s aid society did not follow its complaint review process or timelines

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The children’s aid societies’ Internal Complaints Review Panel (ICRP)

Children’s aid societies have their own internal process for handling complaints called an Internal Complaints Review Panel (ICRP). Contact the children’s aid society you are involved with to find out more about their process.

You can complain to the CFSRB directly without first going through the children’s aid society’s complaint process. If you have made an ICRP complaint to the children’s aid society, you can still submit a complaint to the CFSRB, even if the children’s aid society’s process is still underway. If you complained to the children’s aid society and the ICRP process is complete, you can ask the CFSRB to review the ICRP decision.

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Filing an application

To submit a complaint, download the Form 2: Application about Complaints Against a Children’s Aid Society or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616 and we can email or mail you a copy.

Ensure you include all important events , conversations, dates and details on your application.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For more information about how to submit your application, visit Forms and filing.

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After you file

The CFSRB will send a copy of your application to the children’s aid society. Within seven days, the CFSRB will decide whether your application is eligible for review and email you a letter with that decision.

If your application is eligible to proceed, the CFSRB will ask the children’s aid society to respond to your application. The children’s aid society must send its response to you and the CFSRB within 10 days.

After reviewing your application and the response from the children’s aid society, the CFSRB will either make a decision based on the written material or schedule a hearing.

If the CFSRB decides to hold a hearing, a pre-hearing will be scheduled with you and the children’s aid society within 40 days of the eligibility decision.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The pre-hearing/mediation

At the pre-hearing, the CFSRB will offer the parties an opportunity to participate in mediation with a CFSRB adjudicator acting as a mediator. The pre-hearing/mediation takes place in private by video proceeding.

Mediation is voluntary and the goal is to help you and the children’s aid society reach an agreement that resolves the issues in the application. Both sides will have a chance to tell the mediator what happened and discuss potential solutions.

If the parties do not agree to participate in mediation, or if mediation takes place but no agreement is reached, the CFSRB adjudicator may help the parties prepare for the hearing by:

• defining the issues,
• identifying the witnesses who will appear at the hearing,
• discussing the documents and other potential evidence the parties will need to share with each other and the CFSRB, and
• discussing potential dates for the hearing.

After the pre-hearing/mediation, the CFSRB will send a Pre-hearing/Mediation Report to you and the children’s aid society.

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The hearing

If the matter is proceeding to a hearing, a Notice of Hearing will be sent to you and the children’s aid society.

If you did not participate in mediation or if your application did not settle, a hearing will be scheduled. The hearing could be conducted in writing or by video proceeding and will start within 60 days of the CFSRB deciding your application was eligible.

At the hearing, a CFSRB adjudicator will hear your application. You and the children’s aid society will each have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question you or any of the witnesses. You will present your evidence first, followed by the children’s aid society.

Hearings generally last one day. All hearings are private. You may have one support person with you during the hearing.

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The decision

The CFSRB will consider the evidence and arguments and may decide to:

• grant your application (you are the successful party),
• dismiss your application (the children’s aid society is the successful party),
• order the children’s aid society to respond to your complaint,
• order the children’s aid society to provide detailed written reasons for a decision they made, or
• order the children’s aid society to consider your complaint through its internal complaints process.

A decision with full reasons is generally released 30 days after the hearing ends.

The decision cannot be appealed. However, in limited circumstances, you can request a judicial review of the decision from the Divisional Court.

What you need to know before you file an application

If a children’s aid society refused your request to adopt a particular child, you may apply to the CFSRB for a review of that decision.

You can be represented by a lawyer or paralegal or you can represent yourself. Tribunals Ontario’s Practice Direction on Representation provides additional information on representation of parties and their responsibilities.

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Deadline for filing an application

The children’s aid society must give you written notice of its decision to refuse your application to adopt a particular child. After you receive the notice, you have 10 days to apply to the CFSRB for a review. The children’s aid society cannot take further action, nor can it place the child for adoption with someone else during that time.

If it has been more than 10 days since you received the notice and you would like to apply for a review, contact the CFSRB. If the notice is incomplete, you may still be able to apply.

If children’s aid society refuses your request to adopt without sending a written notice, contact the CFSRB immediately. You may be eligible to apply for a review.

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Filing an application

To apply for a review, download the Form 3: Application for Review of an Adoption Refusal or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616 and we will email or mail you a copy.

Ensure you include all important events, conversations, dates and details on your application.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For more information about how to submit your application, visit Forms and filing.

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After you file

The CFSRB will notify the children’s aid society that you have filed an application. If the child is First Nations, Métis or Inuk, the CFSRB will also notify the child’s band or Indigenous community.

Within seven days, the CFSRB will decide if your application is eligible to proceed. If your application is not eligible to be heard by the CFSRB, we will send you a decision explaining why. If your application is eligible, you will receive a decision confirming eligibility and a Notice of Hearing indicating the date of the first day of your hearing.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The hearing

It is important to resolve disputes about adoption refusals as soon as possible. This goal is reflected in the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and associated regulations which require hearings to start within 20 days of the eligibility decision. Hearings are normally held by video proceeding.

The first day of the hearing will identify any preliminary issues, give directions about evidence and witnesses, set further hearing dates, discuss potential mediation, and deal with any other necessary procedural matters.

At the hearing continuation, a panel of three adjudicators will hear your application. You and the children’s aid society will each have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question you or any of the witnesses. The children’s aid society will present its evidence first.

Hearings can last multiple days. All hearings are private. You may have one support person with you during the hearing.

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The decision

The CFSRB will determine which action is in the child’s best interests and will confirm or overturn the children’s aid society’s decision to refuse your adoption application.

The CFSRB will issue an order no more than 10 days after the hearing ends. A decision with full reasons is generally released 30 days after the hearing ends.

The decision cannot be appealed. However, in limited circumstances, you can request a judicial review of the decision from the Divisional Court.

What you need to know before you file an application

If a children’s aid society or a licensee either removed a child placed with you for adoption or informed you that it will remove the child, you may apply to the CFSRB for a review of that decision.

You can be represented by a lawyer or paralegal or you can represent yourself. Tribunals Ontario’s Practice Direction on Representation provides additional information who can represent a party and the obligations of representatives.

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Deadline for filing an application

The children’s aid society or a licensee must give you written notice of its decision to remove a child placed with you for adoption. After you receive the notice, you have 10 days to apply to the CFSRB for a review. During this time, the children’s aid society cannot take further action.

If it has been more than 10 days since you received the notice and you would like to apply for a review, contact the CFSRB. If the notice is incomplete, you may still be able to apply.

If children’s aid society or licensee removes a child without sending a written notice, contact the CFSRB immediately. You may be eligible to apply for a review.

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Filing an application

To apply for a review, download the Form 3: Application for Review of an Adoption Refusal or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616 and we will email or mail you a copy.

Ensure you include all important events, conversations, dates and details on your application.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For more information about how to submit your application, visit Forms and filing.

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After you file

The CFSRB will notify the children’s aid society that you have filed an application. If the child is First Nations, Métis or Inuk, the CFSRB will also notify the child’s band or Indigenous community.

Within seven days, the CFSRB will decide if your application is eligible to proceed. If your application is not eligible to be heard by the CFSRB, we will send you a decision explaining why. If your application is eligible, you will receive a decision confirming eligibility and a Notice of Hearing indicating the date of the first day of your hearing.

Unless there is a likely risk of harm to the child, the children’s aid society cannot remove the child from your home until the hearing has taken place, and then only if the CFSRB has confirmed the proposed removal.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The hearing

It is important to resolve disputes about adoption removals as soon as possible. This goal is reflected in the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and associated regulations which require hearings to start within 20 days of the eligibility decision.

The first day of the hearing will identify any preliminary issues, give directions about evidence and witnesses, set further hearing dates, discuss potential mediation, and deal with any other necessary procedural matters.

At the hearing continuation, a panel of three adjudicators will hear your application. You and the children’s aid society will each have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question you or any of the witnesses. The children’s aid society will present its evidence first.

Hearings can last multiple days. All hearings are private. You may have one support person with you during the hearing.

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The decision

The CFSRB will determine which action is in the child’s best interests and will confirm or overturn the children’s aid society’s decision to refuse your adoption application.

The CFSRB will issue an order no more than 10 days after the hearing ends. A decision with full reasons is generally released 30 days after the hearing ends.

The decision cannot be appealed. However, in limited circumstances, you can request a judicial review of the decision from the Divisional Court.

What you need to know before you file an appeal

You can file an appeal of a school board’s expulsion decision with the CFSRB if you are:

• the parent or guardian of a student who is under 18 years old who was recently expelled,
• a student who is over 18 years old and was recently expelled, or
• a student who is 16 or 17 years old, who has withdrawn from parental control and was recently expelled.

You can represent yourself at your hearing, or you can choose a lawyer or paralegal to help you prepare for, and participate in, your appeal and represent you. The Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY) may be able to provide legal help. The JFCY is a legal aid clinic that provides youth with advice, representation, and referrals.

Tribunals Ontario’s Practice Direction on Representation provides additional information on representation of parties and their responsibilities.

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Deadline for filing an appeal

After you receive an expulsion decision from the school board, you have 30 days to appeal to the CFSRB. If you missed the 30-day deadline to apply, contact the CFSRB immediately, and explain why. You may still be allowed to apply.

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Filing an appeal

To file an appeal, download the Form 4: Appeal of School Board Expulsion Decision or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616 and we will email or mail you a copy.

Ensure you include all important events, conversations, dates and details on your appeal form.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For information about how to send your appeal, visit Forms and filing.

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After you file

Within seven days of receiving your appeal, the CFSRB will:

• send a copy of the appeal to the school board requesting a copy of the principal’s report recommending the expulsion, and
• hold a pre-hearing with you and the school board.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The pre-hearing

The purpose of the pre-hearing is to identify any preliminary issues, give directions about evidence and witnesses, set a hearing date, and deal with any other necessary procedural matters. Pre-hearings are held by video proceeding.

After the pre-hearing, the CFSRB will send you and the school board a Pre-hearing Report, and a Notice of Hearing indicating the date of your hearing.

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The hearing

Before the hearing, you will have an opportunity to attend a mediation to try to resolve your matter. If the matter does not settle, a hearing will be scheduled on a date agreed to by the parties.

The hearing will be held by video proceeding. A panel of one, two or three adjudicators will hear your appeal. You and the school board will have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question any of the witnesses. The school board will present its evidence first.

The student whose expulsion is being appealed has the right to attend the hearing and to make a statement.

Hearings are generally one day. All hearings are private. You may have one support person with you during the hearing.

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The decision

The CFSRB will consider the evidence and arguments and may decide to:

• confirm the expulsion decision,
• reject the expulsion decision and reinstate the student,
• change the expulsion decision from all schools to the student’s school only, or
• order that the record of the expulsion be removed or changed.

The CFSRB will issue a decision no more than 10 days after the hearing ends. A decision with full reasons is generally released 30 days after the hearing ends.

The decision cannot be appealed. However, in limited circumstances, you can request a judicial review of the decision from the Divisional Court.

What you need to know before you file

If you are a child who was recently admitted to an emergency secure treatment program of up to 30 days, or know a child who was recently admitted to an emergency secure treatment program of up to 30 days, you may apply to the CFSRB for a review of the placement.

All children in an emergency secure treatment program are assigned a lawyer from the Office of the Children’s Lawyer.

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Filing an application

To apply for a review, download the Form 5: Application for Review of Emergency Admission to Secure Treatment Program (ESTA) or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For more information about how to submit your application, visit Forms and filing.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The hearing

Within five days of receiving the application, a panel of three adjudicators will hold a hearing by video proceeding. Both parties will have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question any of the witnesses. The secure treatment facility will present its evidence first.

Hearings last one day and are private.

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The order

The CFSRB will make a decision and issue an order on the day of the hearing. The CFSRB will confirm that the child stay in the program or be released.

For the CFSRB to decide to keep a child in the secure treatment program, all five following criteria must be met at the time of admission:

• the child has a mental disorder,
• the child, as a result of the mental disorder, caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause serious bodily harm to himself or herself or others,
• the secure treatment facility program would be effective to prevent the child from causing or attempting to cause harm to himself or herself or others,
• the treatment is appropriate for the child’s mental disorder and is available at the place of secure treatment, and
• no less restrictive method of providing treatment is appropriate in the circumstances.

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The decision

The CFSRB will issue a decision with full reasons no more than 10 days after the hearing ends.

What you need to know before you file

If you are 12 or older, you may apply to the CFSRB for a review of your placement in a foster home, group home or treatment home if:

• you disagree with the recommendation of the RPAC, or
• the recommendation of the RPAC is not followed.

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Filing an application

To apply for a review, download the Form 7: Application for Review of a Residential Placement or call the CFSRB at 416-327-0111 or 1-888-777-3616 to speak with a case processing officer.

Make sure to include all important events, conversations, dates and details on your application.

You can submit your form by:

Email: cfsrb@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-0558

Mail:

Child and Family Services Review Board
15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G6

For more information about how to submit your application, visit Forms and filing.

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After you file

The CFSRB will notify the following that you made a request to review your residential placement:

1. the children’s aid society or person who is responsible for your placement,
2. if you are First Nations, Metis or Inuk, the representative chosen by your community, and
3. the Office of the Children’s Lawyer or your lawyer.

If you are in the care of the children’s aid society, the society must respond within seven days and provide:

• a copy of the RPAC report,
• an explanation in writing of why it thinks you should remain in your placement, and
• a summary of other placement options with an explanation of whether they would be appropriate for you, and if they are currently available for you.

Generally, the CFSRB conducts a review. In certain circumstances, the CFSRB will conduct a hearing. If the CFSRB decides to hold a hearing instead of a review, you will be notified within 10 days.

French language services

Tribunals Ontario is committed to ensuring that French language services are clearly visible, easily accessible and publicized, and of equivalent quality to services offered in English. Read the French Language Services Policy for more information.

CFSRB documents and forms are available in both French and English.

Mediations and hearings can be conducted in English, French, or in both languages. If an application or the response is filed in French, a bilingual adjudicator will be assigned. If you applied in English but would prefer to continue in French, please notify the CFSRB as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

Languages other than English or French

The CFSRB can provide interpreters for languages other than English and French, including sign language. If you need to request an interpreter, do so as soon as possible, well in advance of your hearing or mediation.

All correspondence submitted to the CFSRB must be in either English or French. The CFSRB does not provide translation services, including translating correspondence from French to English or English to French.

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The pre-hearing

The purpose of the pre-hearing is to identify any preliminary issues, give directions about evidence and witnesses, set a hearing date, and deal with any other necessary procedural matters. Pre-hearings are held by video proceeding.

After the pre-hearing, the CFSRB will send all parties a Pre-hearing Report, and a Notice of Hearing indicating the date of your hearing.

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The hearing

The hearing will be held by video proceeding. A panel of one, two or three adjudicators will hear your application. All participants will have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses and make submissions. CFSRB adjudicators may also question you or any of the witnesses.

Hearings can last multiple days. All hearings are private. You may have one support person with you during the hearing.

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The decision

The CFSRB must complete the review within 30 days of receiving your application unless everyone involved agrees that more time is needed. If the CFSRB holds a hearing, it will generally take more time.

The CFSRB will make one of the following decisions:

• confirm your current placement,
• order that you be transferred to another placement, or
• discharge you from your current placement.

You will receive a decision with reasons following the hearing.

The decision cannot be appealed. However, in limited circumstances, you can request a judicial review of the decision from the Divisional Court.

• On average, a Letter of Eligibility or an Eligibility Decision for s.119/120, 109, 192 applications is sent to applicants within 7 days from the receipt of the application.
• On average, a Notice of Application/Appeal for all application types, except for Emergency Admission to Secure Treatment Program (ESTA) are sent to applicants within 24 hours from the receipt of the application.
• On average, it takes 25 days to schedule the initial hearing event / issue a Notice of Hearing (NOH) to the parties before the scheduled hearing event date.
• On average, it takes 1 to 2 days to schedule the initial hearing event / issue a Notice of Hearing (NOH) to the parties before the scheduled hearing event date for Emergency Admission to Secure Treatment Program (ESTA) applications.
• On average, it takes 7 days to proceed to the initial hearing event from application eligibility date for s.109 and 192 application types.
• On average, decisions are issued within 30 days from the conclusion of a hearing event all application types.

s.119/120: Application about Complaints Against a Children’s Aid Society

s.109: Application about the Proposed Removal of a Child from a Foster Home

s.192: Application for Review of an Adoption Refusal