Releasing a child from care

The program staff who is supervising the child at the time of pick-up shall only release the child to the child’s parent/guardian or individual that the parent/guardian has provided written authorization that the child care may release the child to.  Where the staff does not know the individual picking up the child (i.e., parent/guardian or authorized individual),

• confirm with another staff member that the individual picking up is the child’s parent/guardian/authorized individual.
• where the above is not possible, ask the parent/guardian/authorized individual for photo identification and confirm the individual’s information against the parent/guardian/authorized individual’s name on the child’s file or written authorization.

Custody situations

In situations where parents are separated or divorced, KCF cannot follow a parent’s request NOT to release a child to the other parent without a court order that says the other parent cannot see the child. A court order may also state what days and times the parent can see the child.

If a parent asks program staff not to release a child to the other parent but does not have a court order indicating this, program staff will, follow these steps:

* Tell the parent that you cannot stop the other parent from picking up their child, unless you see a court order that says this. Only a court of law can take away a parent’s right to be with their child.

* If the parent is still concerned that the other parent may come, ask that the child not remain in care until this is sorted out.

If there is a court order with instructions with which days each parent has and the parents want to switch days, a written note must be provided to the program staff indicating who is picking up on which day ahead of time. If a parent comes to pick up the child on a different day, program staff will follow these steps:

* Inform the parent who has come to pick up the child that you must call the other parent to make sure that it is okay to release the child.

* Call the parent who is supposed to pick up the child on that day. Ask for permission to release the child to the other parent. You must get an email / text message permission note or a message on the voice mail from this parent agreeing to the change. Do not release the child until you receive the email /text or phone message.

* If the parent insists on taking the child without permission, or begins to get upset, angry, or threatening in any way, release the child to them and call the police or 911. Inform the supervisor/designate as soon as the parent begins to get upset/threatening.

* If you know that there is a restraining order, condition of bail, or prohibition order that does not allow the person to be near the child, call the police immediately when that person arrives at the centre. You cannot let a parent visit a child if you know there is a court order against this, even if the other parent says it is okay.

* Call Children’s Aid Society if the child tells you that someone who is not allowed to be near the child has been visiting or seeing the child.

* Notify your supervisor that you have made the call.

Where a child has not been picked up as expected (before centre closes)

*Where a parent/guardian has previously communicated with the Program Staff a specific time or timeframe that their child is to be picked up from care and the child has not been picked up, the Program Staff shall contact the parent/guardian by a phone call and advise that the child is still in care and has not been picked up.

*Where the Program Staff is unable to reach the parent/guardian, they must call again and leave a message for the parent/guardian.  Where the individual picking up the child is an authorized individual and their contact information is available, the staff shall proceed with contacting the individual to confirm pick-up as per the parent/guardian’s instructions or leave a voice message to contact the centre.

*Where the Program Staff has not heard back from the parent/guardian or authorized individual who was to pick up the child, the staff will wait until the program closes and then refer to procedures under “where a child has not been picked up and program is closed”.