Referral Process For Parents
Parents, whose children are engaging in criminal like activity or antisocial behaviour and are under the age of 12, may access the Central Intake Line directly by calling
905 544 7778
Referral Process For Social Services
Referral Process for Services provided by Fire Services, Schools, Contact Hamilton for Children’s and Developmental Services, and other social service organizations
When community agencies have contact with a child under the age of 12 engaging in criminal like activity or antisocial behaviour, they may inform the child’s parent /guardian that there is help available. The family may be given the number of the Central Intake Line or the family may give consent to the agency to call on their behalf.
In the event that a child is referred to the Central Intake Line and is deemed to require services outside the spectrum of the Banyan Community Services Under 12 Outreach Program the following will occur. The Central Intake Line worker will either encourage the family to call the appropriate service provider or with the family’s permission contact the service provider to make a referral on the family’s behalf. If the child requires children’s mental health and developmental programs and services that are funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Central Intake Line Worker will encourage the family or with their permission call Contact Hamilton for Children’s and Developmental Services and make the referral.
Referral Process For Child Welfare
Referrals are directed to an intake child protection worker during normal business hours. The After Hours Emergency Service is to be contacted outside regular business hours when there are immediate safety concerns for the child or when the referral cannot be made on the next working day. If the referral meets the criteria outlined in the Ontario Child Protection Eligibility Spectrum an investigation is initiated. Once a file is opened for investigation and assessment, a child protection worker is assigned and the process of assessing risk to the child commences.
Referral Process For Police
When an officer is investigating an incident in which a child under the age of 12 years old is suspected of engaging in criminal activity:
- The officer shall conduct a thorough investigation, which will include a background check and interview with a parent/guardian of the child.
- The officer shall release the child to the parent/guardian, unless the criteria set out in the Child and Family Services Act for the apprehension of a child are met. In this case, the officer shall apprehend the child as a child in need of protection and contact the appropriate Children’s Aid Society. If the circumstances permit, the officer shall first consult with the Catholic Children’s Aid or the Children’s Aid Society and together make a plan for response, including apprehension if necessary.
- If the child is not in need of protection, the officer may consider referring the parent/guardian of the child, to the Central Intake Line at
905 544 7778
Consent of the parent/guardian is necessary, hence contact with the Central Intake Line should be made by the parent/guardian. If however, the parent/guardian wishes the officer to make the contact on their behalf, the officer will fax the completed Initial Contact Form to Banyan Community Services. The officer should inform the parent/guardian that they will be contacted by the staff at the Program within 24 hours on a weekday or within 48 hours during the weekend. The officer will submit an Occurrence Report, as well as a Young Offender Report, indicating that a referral was made.