Yes, You Can Share Information to Protect a Child

Today, in collaboration with the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, we released a new guide to help professionals working with children understand that privacy legislation should not be a barrier to sharing information with a children’s aid society (CAS) about a child who may be at risk. In fact, Ontario law permits the disclosure of this important information.

Health providers, police, teachers, social service workers and other professionals sometimes cite privacy as the reason for refusing to disclose information to child protection workers. While well-intentioned, this refusal may leave a child in need of protection at risk of harm. Yes, You Can. Dispelling the Myths About Sharing Information with Children’s Aid Societies clarifies common misunderstandings about privacy and reporting this information to the CAS. It underscores that, yes, professionals can disclose information to protect a child from potential harm and privacy should never stand in the way of sharing this information.

We hope this guide will lead to Ontario CASs getting more of the important information they need to help children at risk.