Private Guardianship

What is Private Guardianship?

At Siksika Children’s Services, we believe that every child deserves to grow up in a loving, stable and permanent home.

Private Guardianship is an alternative to adoption used by Siksika Children’s Services to provide this for Siksika children.

Any adult who has been taking continuous care of a child can apply to become a permanent guardian.  If the child has been under the care of Siksika Children’s Services due to a Permanent Guardianship Order, we are here to support you when making an application.

If you are interested in applying for Private Guardianship you can contact the child’s care worker, and they will help to guide you through all of the necessary steps.

Find downloadable guardianship forms  here

How does the court decide on Private Guardianship applications?

The court bases their decision on the following factors:

• if it is in the best interest of the child
• if the child is 12 years of age or older and consents to the guardianship
• if the parent’s of the child have given proper consents

The private guardianship order will be granted if the court is satisfied that you are:

• able to assume the responsibility of a guardian toward the child(ren), and
• suitable to be appointed as a guardian for the child(ren)

*Applicants for children who are under Siksika Children’s Services care may be able to qualify for financial assistance  Supports for Permanency.

Citation: Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act. Division 5: Private Guardianship, c.12. Canada. Ministry of Child and Family Services. Web. May 2014.

What is a Home Study Report?

When you have made a  request to become the  guardian of a child,  a Siksika Children’s Services worker will be required to do a home study report.

The home study report hopes to answer the following questions:

• is it in the child’s best interest for you to become their guardian?
• are you a suitable choice to become the child’s guardian?
• will you have the capacity and the willingness to take responsibility for the child?
• are the members of your household willing to foster a safe environment for the child?

What you need to know for Siksika Children:

It is very important for Siksika children to remain connected to their community, their cultural values and their traditional spiritual practices..

If you are applying to become the guardian of a Siksika child or children, please keep in mind that the Government of Alberta’s Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act has criteria  in place to help preserve and protect Siksika culture.

Here are a few examples:

• you must provide a cultural connection plan describing how you will help foster the child’s connection with Siksika culture, and Siksika identity including:
• religious or spiritual practices unique to Siksika
• Siksika cultural events and traditions     
• you must make a commitment to ensure the Siksika child obtains all of their rights under The Indian Act 
• you must make a commitment to talk to the child about their Siksika identity, and what their status under The Indian Act means, as soon as the child is capable of understanding these concepts.  

For more information on Private Guardianship, please contact us.

Helpful Links

• Government of Alberta —Private Guardianship
• BearPaw Education
• North American Council on Adoptable Children — Financing
• Treaty 6, 7 & 8 First Nations Child & Family Services Agencies (FNCFSA) Enhancement Framework - April 2007