Kinship care
Kinship care is the care of a child by a relative or another person with a significant relationship to the child, rather than by a non-relative foster parent. In BC it can arise informally within a family or through arrangements under child welfare legislation when a child cannot safely live with their parents.
How BC law treats it
In BC, placements with extended family or others through child protection processes are made under the Child, Family and Community Service Act, RSBC 1996 c 46. Guardianship and parenting arrangements are otherwise governed by the Family Law Act, SBC 2011 c 25.
What it means for your business
This is a family and child welfare matter rather than a business law issue, though employees caring for kin may need workplace accommodation.
Risks and common mistakes
Informal kinship arrangements without legal guardianship can leave caregivers unable to make medical or school decisions for the child.
Browse the full Fulcrum Law Dictionary for related terms.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
