Your Child Is in CAS Temporary Care — What To Do in Ontario
A Temporary Care Agreement (TCA) is a written agreement where you voluntarily place your child in the care of a Children's Aid Society for a period of time. This is different from a court order — but it still has serious legal implications if not managed carefully.
Key deadline: Temporary Care Agreements cannot exceed 12 months for children under 12, or 24 months total. After that, CAS must bring the matter to court or return the child.
What typically happens next
- CAS places the child in a foster home, relative's home, or other approved placement.
- You and CAS agree on a plan of care including visitation, services, and goals to be met.
- A review meeting is held every 3 months to assess progress against the care plan.
- Parents are expected to comply with identified services (parenting programs, counselling, housing, etc.).
- If the TCA expires without reunification, CAS may apply to court for a society wardship order.
Step-by-step: what people in this situation often do
- 1
Understand what you have signed
A Temporary Care Agreement is voluntary — you signed it. But this means you agreed to the terms. Get a copy and review every requirement listed for your care plan. Contact a lawyer immediately if you did not have one present when signing.
- 2
Attend every visit, every program, every meeting
Your attendance and engagement are tracked and reported to the court if the case escalates. Missed visits or program non-attendance is used as evidence of parental disengagement.
- 3
Request a review meeting if you believe you are ready
You can formally request a care review if circumstances have changed significantly. Put this in writing to your CAS worker and document the request.
- 4
Keep a detailed log of every interaction
Date, time, who was present, what was said, and any agreements made. Logs are your primary evidence if the case proceeds to court.
- 5
Engage legal support
If your child has been in care for more than 3 months and you feel the plan is not working in your favour, consult Legal Aid Ontario immediately. You may have grounds to renegotiate the agreement.
Documents you will likely need
- Signed copy of the Temporary Care Agreement
- The written care plan and your responsibilities
- Records of all visitation (dates, duration, who attended)
- Proof of program enrollment and attendance
- Correspondence from CAS regarding your progress
- Evidence of stable housing
- Medical records for you and your child
- Any updated income or employment records
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel a Temporary Care Agreement?
How much visitation am I entitled to during temporary care?
What happens if I complete everything in the care plan?
What happens if the Temporary Care Agreement expires?
This guide is based on publicly available Ontario child protection procedures. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Quorex is not affiliated with any child welfare agency or government body. If you are in immediate risk, contact legal aid or a duty counsel directly.
Next step
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