Child and Youth Protection

What do we do

The Division of Child and Youth Protection (CYP) at CHEO provides specialized health assessments, medical opinions and care for children, youth and families when there is a question of maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect). CYP provides consultation on medical aspects of maltreatment to health-care providers, child welfare agencies, police, lawyers and others. Lastly, CYP is responsible for reviewing all cases that CHEO staff and physicians report to a child welfare agency.

Who we see

Our major emphasis is the provision of specialized medical services to children, youth and families where there is a question of abuse or neglect. The program works closely with a liaison worker from the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, and the Emergency Department Sexual Assault/Abuse Program.

The division's services are based at CHEO, which not only serves Ottawa but also Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, Nunavut and parts of Northern Ontario.

Consultation details

CYP will provide consultation services for the following:

• A medical assessment regarding possible child maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect).
• An opinion on medical aspects of possible child maltreatment (e.g. injuries and their causes, underlying medical conditions).
• A request for general information about medical aspects of child maltreatment.
• To facilitate a partnership with CYP for the purpose of case management, research, education or advocacy.

How to access

We are available for consultation 24 hours per day 7 days per week.

For any urgent (same day) matters:

• Professionals (physicians, child welfare workers, police and others) — call the CHEO Switchboard at 613-737-7600 and ask to page the on-call CYP physician (24/7) or the CYP social worker (daytime hours)
• Families, youth or children — see a family physician or another health-care provider who can assess whether referral to CYP is needed urgently or come to the CHEO Emergency Department emergency care is needed

For non-urgent referrals or requests:

• Professionals (physicians, child welfare workers, police and others) - call the CHEO Switchboard, at 613-737-7600, extension 2677 (for CYP) or fax a referral letter directly to CYP at 613-738-4834
• Families, youth or children — talk to your family physician, another health-care provider or your child welfare worker who can assess whether CYP referral would be helpful

Please note: We are not the same as the Children’s Aid Society or Child Welfare. We do not do forensic interviewing, investigation of risk to a child or make recommendations for a child’s living arrangements. The Children's Aid Societies in Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Quebec, and the Department of Family Services in Nunavut are the legal child welfare authorities in CHEO’s catchment area to which, by law, CYP must report suspected abuse and neglect. These agencies are responsible (sometimes with police) for the investigation of the reports.