Director of Youth Protection (DYP)

A Director of Youth Protection (DYP) is appointed for each region of Québec. He is responsible for enforcing the Youth Protection Act (YPA) in his region. The YPA applies to children whose security or development is or may be considered to be in danger. These children are considered to be in difficulty and in need of protection. In the YPA, the term “child” refers to a person under 18 years of age. Therefore, the Act also applies to teenagers.

The DYP is also responsible for the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) as provincial director.

The DYP works out of an integrated health and social services centre (CISSS) or integrated university health and social services centre (CIUSSS) that provides protection and rehabilitation services for youth with adjustment problems. The DYP works in collaboration with all the resources in his region.

The DYP intervenes with a child and their parents in the child’s interest and with respect for their rights. The aim of their intervention is to:

• Put an end to the situation where the child’s security or development is in danger
• Prevent the situation from happening again

The DYP intervenes mainly in situations where a child:

• Has been abandoned
• Is being neglected
• Is being psychologically abused
• Exposed to domestic violence
• Is being sexually abused
• Is being physically abused
• Has serious behavioural disturbances
• Is facing a serious risk of being neglected or sexually or physically abused

Most of the time, these situations are brought to the DYP’s attention by telephone. This is called a "referral or report". A referral is mandatory so that the DYP can take a closer look at the child's situation, and possibly carry out a more in-depth evaluation.

To find out more about reporting and about situations where a report must be made, consult the page Reporting a situation to the Director of Youth Protection (DYP).

The DYP is supported by a team of professionals who carry out a number of responsibilities, including:

• Receiving reports and analyzing them briefly
• Assessing the child's situation and living conditions and establishing a protection plan, if required
• Accompanying and supporting the family according to the protection plan determined
• Reviewing the child's situation

The child's well-being and voice are at the heart of the intervention. The DYP worker will take the time to listen to the child and will make the child's best interests a primary consideration in all actions taken.

In collaboration with community resources, the DYP has a duty to help parents meet their child's needs. It encourages their active participation and that of the child, while promoting their support and consensus-building. All decisions are based on the best interests of the child.

The DYP intervenes in the child's living environment. In certain situations, the child may be removed from the family environment and placed in a substitute living environment. Sometimes, the child cannot be returned to their family environment. In such cases, the DYP is responsible for providing the child with an alternative living environment that will make sure they have the stability needed to develop properly.

When the DYP ends their intervention, if they consider that the child or their parents need help, they must inform them of the services and resources available in their community.

If the parents and the child agree, the DYP must also:

• Advise them and personally refer them to these resources by making the initial contact
• Forward any relevant information about the situation to the resource(s) in question.