The Eligibility Spectrum

While a Children's Aid Society may not investigate every case, basic steps are taken whenever a report is made. An intake worker will initially receive information from a person reporting a possible child at risk. In every case, the information received from the caller is measured against the Eligibility Spectrum. If previous information has been received on the child's family, that information will be assessed as well. The referral source may also be a factor in assessing the reliability of the information. Whether or not an investigation is launched on a family or child depends on considering all of these factors together. For example, a referral that clearly fits the severe or moderately severe criteria in the Eligibility Spectrum will always be investigated. But a referral in a minimally severe category that is usually not investigated may be investigated if a number of calls have been made about the same family in the past. The Children's Aid Society must err on the side of caution to ensure that children are not left at risk of harm unnecessarily.

If the Society decides not to investigate a case, no further action is taken. However, the family may be referred another social service or program if deemed appropriate and the family is in agreement. In 2000-01 only 45% of over 1,400 referrals to Family and Children's Services resulted in an investigation being conducted.

Read an example of how the Elibigility Spectrum is used in suspected cases of abuse.