Child and Family Services
The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) is committed to the well-being of children and families in Nunavut. Local social workers offer services in every community. These services aim to keep our children safe, families strong, elders independent, and our communities productive.
Increasing services to Nunavummiut who are at risk is a priority for HSS. We have set out our goals for Child and Family Services in Tamapta: Building our Future Together 2009-2013.
We are committed to our goals and offer the following services to meet those goals:
| If you know of a child in need of protection, it is your duty to report this to the police. Call your local RCMP, Social Services office, or tell a teacher, nurse or social worker. |
Child Protection
Everyone has a role to play in the protection of our children. We offer services to help our communities keep Nunavut’s children safe.
Click here for more information on child
protection.
Family Issues
HSS recognizes that family violence is a major concern in Nunavut. HSS offers services that protect and support victims of family violence, and try to lower family violence in Nunavut.
Click here for more information on Family Issues.
Residential Care
The Residential Care Program provides care for Nunavummiut when care is not available in their home.
Residential Care is offered in foster homes, extended family foster homes, disabled group homes for children and adults, elders’ homes and residential facilities for medically fragile children and medically dependent adults.
Click here for more information on Residential Care.
Foster Care
Foster care offers a short-term solution for children placed away from their parents or guardians until a more permanent placement can be made.
Click here for more information on Foster Care.
Adoption
Adoption provides permanent families to children whose birth families cannot care for them for any number of reasons.
Adoption is a lifelong experience that affects adopted children and adults, and birth and adoptive families. HSS aims to provide every child available for adoption with a stable and secure permanent home.
Click here for more information on Adoption.
Guardianship
The Department of Health and Social Services offers guardianship services to help protect adult Nunavummiut who are unable to take care of themselves because of a mental or physical disability.
Click here for more information on Guardianship.
Contact Social Services
We have staff members in every community across Nunavut.
Click here for more information on how to contact your local Social Services
office.