Child Protection Service Unit
The Child Protection Service Unit runs the Child and Family Clinic, which offers support for children and youth who may be at risk of physical, sexual or emotional harm, or neglect.
The Child Protection Service Unit evaluates complex and serious cases of child maltreatment from around BC.
Our team includes social workers, pediatricians, nurses and psychologists. We also help connect children, youth and their families to community resources to ensure comprehensive care and support.
Our team provides medical and mental health assessments in a positive, relaxed, child-centred environment at the Child and Family Clinic.
Referral information
You need a referral from a doctor or a social worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or an Indigenous child and family services agency.
Please see our referral page for more information.
Appointment details
Our clinic's social worker will arrange your family’s appointment with the Child and Family Clinic. Clinic appointments are typically one to two hours long.
As we are a teaching hospital, doctors in training and other learning staff may be in our clinic.
When you come to the Child and Family Clinic, we will register your child and you will meet the nurse. They will review the appointment process with you. They will also confirm your child or youth's medical history and background information.
Once that’s complete, a pediatrician will examine your child or youth. We will share the findings of that exam with you. Our clinic social worker may offer you crisis counselling and education about child maltreatment prevention, as necessary. They will also make follow-up recommendations and refer you to relevant community resources.
If appropriate, we may refer your child or youth to the unit's mental health team for further assessment. This may include exploring:
- Your child’s emotional, social and behavioural functioning
- The impact of child maltreatment
- Family interactions and function
The findings of the mental health assessment help us to plan for your child or youth's care needs.
Clinic staff create written reports which are placed on your child or youth's medical chart. With the legal guardian's consent, we may send the report to the child or youth's family doctor, nurse practitioner, and/or the referring agency.
Legal guardians and older patients have access to these medical reports.
Contact us
We provide services from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Address:
Child and Family Clinic
4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3V4
Phone: 604-875-3270
Fax: 604-875-3410
Report neglect or child maltreatment
If you believe a child or youth is being maltreated or neglected, call the Ministry for Children and Family Development toll-free at 1-800-663-9122. You can call any time of the day or night.
Additional resources
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Indigenous Health
We advocate for and provide support to Indigenous patients and families who are visiting the hospital.