Optional - Safety Assessment, Safety Plan and Safety Plan Review Templates

Aug 31, 2026

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Optional templates created by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to support licensees in meeting safety assessment and safety planning obligations under Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and O. Reg. 156/18. The requirements apply to multiple licensee types, specify when assessments and individualized trauma-informed plans are needed, and emphasize consulting the child or youth and involving them in plan development and reviews. Documentation must comply with the Act, regulations, and ministry directives; the templates are guidance only.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages13

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Optional Safety Assessment, Safety Plan and Safety Plan Review Templates

Purpose and Scope

Trauma-Informed Safety Plan Requirements

When a Safety Plan Is Required

Safety Assessment (Template Sections)

Child or Youth Details

Reasons for Completing the Safety Assessment

Behaviour Summary and Supporting Documents

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Optional - Safety Assessment, Safety Plan and Safety Plan Review Templates Purpose: This optional template was created by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (ministry) to assist licensees in complying with their obligations under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), HYPERLINK "https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180156" \l "BK130" Sections 86 to HYPERLINK "https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180156" \l "BK138" 86.8 and HYPERLINK "https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180156" \l "BK195" Sections 129 to HYPERLINK "https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180156" \l "BK200" 129.5 of O. Reg. 156/18, respecting safety assessments and safety plans, effective July 1, 2023. These requirements apply to foster care licensees (including Children’s Aid Societies), children’s residence licensees (other than a place of secure or open custody or detention licensed to provide out of home care), staff-model home licensees and placing agencies (including Children’s Aid Societies). These requirements do not apply to licensees providing care for young persons ordered into detention or custody by a youth justice court. TOC \o \z \u \h Where a safety assessment has determined an individualized safety plan is required for a child, the plan should be trauma-informed and be specific to the child or youth. The licensee must ensure that the child is consulted when developing the safety plan and should strive to include the child’s voice in establishing what they feel would best meet their needs and they would respond to. The child or youth should play an integral role in the development of the safety plan and any reviews. It is important to note that a safety plan is only required where the licensee has determined from the safety assessment that: The child engages in behaviours that may pose a risk to themselves or others, or The view of the person placing the child or who placed the child, or the placing agency is that a safety plan is required. Note: Although the term residential is a legal term under the CYFSA and its regulations, the ministry is using the term “out-of-home care” instead of “residential” care to acknowledge the traumatic history of the Residential School system in Canada Terms of Use/Disclaimer: Licensees may choose to use their own template or forms to demonstrate compliance with the safety assessment and safety planning requirements. All licensees are required to ensure that any documentation pertaining to the safety assessment and safety planning requirements complies with all applicable requirements of the Act, its regulations and ministry directives. The template is a resource only and does not have the force and effect of the law. It does not replace the obligations set out in O. Reg. 156/18 pertaining to safety assessments and safety planning and reference should always be made to the official version of the regulation. Licensees requiring assistance with the interpretation of regulatory requirements, including those requirements specific to safety assessments and safety planning, should seek legal advice. Items marked with an * are recommended and not a regulatory requirement. Safety Assessment Child or Youth Name: Click or tap here to enter text. Date of Birth: Click or tap to enter a date. Name of placing agency or person who placed/is placing the child: *Name of child/youth’s First Nation, Metis or Inuit band or community (where applicable): Date of Admission or Placement (applicable where the child is already residing in the licensed setting) Click or tap to enter a date. Unless a safety plan has already been created in accordance with the requirements below, a safety assessment must be conducted by the licensee: In the case of a child who is to be admitted to the licensed setting, the assessment must be completed before the child’s admission or placement, In the case of a child/youth or foster child,

FAQs

Which licensees must follow the safety assessment and safety plan requirements?

The requirements apply to foster care licensees, children’s residence licensees (with stated custody/detention exclusions), staff-model home licensees, and placing agencies, including Children’s Aid Societies.

When is a safety plan required for a child or youth?

A safety plan is required only when the licensee determines through the safety assessment that the child/youth engages in risk-related behaviours or when the person placing the child/placing agency believes a safety plan is needed.

What does the template emphasize about how safety plans should be developed?

Safety plans should be trauma-informed, specific to the child or youth, and developed with the child’s consultation, striving to include their voice; the child/youth should play an integral role in development and reviews.

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Jake