Government of New Brunswick

Child Protection

Social Development

Overview


** To report a suspected case of child abuse please call 1-833-SDDSTel (1-833-733-7835) or After Hours Emergency Social Services 1-800-442-9799.

Provides protection to any child under age 19, whose care at home is deemed to place the child's security and development in danger, in accordance with the Family Services Act.

"Any person who, having the care of a child under the age of twelve years, or a child who is physically, emotionally or intellectually disabled, leaves the child for an unreasonable length of time without making reasonable provision for the care, supervision and control of the child, commits an offence." (Family Services Act)

For any child age 12 or over that is left unsupervised for any period of time, the parents or guardians should take into account the maturity of the child in question and the degree of confidence the adult has that the child can manage on their own.


Eligibility

Any person who has information causing him to suspect that a child has been abandoned, deserted, physically or emotionally neglected, physically or sexually ill-treated or otherwise abused must inform this Department of the situation without delay.

Description

When the Department receives a report that a child is in need of protection, all details of the referral are reviewed to determine whether the situation should be investigated. If so, it is forwarded to Child Protection Services for follow-up.

If it is determined that the child is being physically and or emotionally abused and/or neglected, further action is taken to protect the child.

Services provided are based on the best interests of the child and, wherever possible, are focused on keeping the family together.

In collaboration with other government departments and interest groups, this Department continues efforts to sensitize the public to the issue of child abuse and the responsibility to report suspected child abuse. Section 30(1) of the Family Services Act makes it mandatory for professionals to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect