Residential Licensing Orientation Materials

The orientation video is for those interested in applying for a licence with the ministry to operate a foster home, children’s residence, or staff model home.

Children’s Residential Licensing Orientation - Video
Children’s Residential Licensing Orientation – Video Transcript

SOR-RL Residential Licensing How-to User Guides

The SOR-RL Children’s Residential Licensing training video covers how to navigate the Residential Licensing modules of the SOR-RL online tool.

SOR-RL Children’s Residential Licensing Training for Service Providers – Video
SOR-RL Children’s Residential Licensing Training for Service Providers – Video Transcript

The SOR-RL Residential Licensing User Guide provides step-by-step instructions for service providers to use and navigate SOR-RL related to children’s residential licensing.

SOR-RL Residential Licensing User Guide for Applicants and Licensees

This user guide provides an overview of the new functionality in SOR-RL related to the new and enhanced regulatory requirements as part of amendments under O. Reg. 156/18 and O. Reg. 155/18 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), 2017 (CYFSA), which came into effect July 1^st, 2023. This guide assists users in performing functions in the system related to the enhancements.

SOR-RL June 28 2023 Release - External User Guide

This user guide and training video provide an overview of the new functionality in SOR-RL related to the new and enhanced regulatory requirements as part of amendments under O. Reg 155/18 of of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), 2017 (CYFSA), which came into effect January 1^st, 2025. The guide and training video assists users in adding the PRC (Police Record Check) User role to new and existing users, in addition to providing step-by-step guidance on how to submit police record check documents to the Director.

SOR-RL Police Record Check User Guide for Existing Licensees

Police Record Check User Orientation

This is the Ministry Policy and Procedure for providing a Police Record Check and Offence Declaration to the Director Under Part IX of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017

Ministry Policy and Procedure for providing a Police Record Check and Offence Declaration to the Director Under Part IX of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017

Important Documents for Residential Licensees or Applicants

As of December 15, 2025, Appendix A is no longer required to be submitted to the ministry. All program information will now be collected in SOR-RL. Licensees are now required to submit a (one time) change request in SOR-RL at the time they submit their Licence Renewal Application.

If you had a new licence application submitted to the ministry prior to December 14, 2025, please reach out to your assigned ministry representative for further information on how to submit the required program information as part of your application.

As of December 15, 2025, Appendix B is no longer required to be submitted to the ministry. All program information will now be collected in SOR-RL. Licensees are now required to submit a (one time) change request in SOR-RL at the time they submit their Licence Renewal Application.

The Residential Licensing checklists are used by ministry inspectors to ensure children’s out of home care licensees are complying with ministry legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines.

Children's Residence Licensing Checklist
Foster Care Licensing Checklist

This document provides general guidance to assist licensees in responding to a finding of non-compliance with a requirement under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), its supporting regulations, directives, ministry policies, youth justice standards, and licence conditions.

Regulator’s Expectations for Licensees’ Responses to Findings of Non-Compliance

Looking for SOR-RL Tier 1 Support contact information? Click here.

Looking for Serious Occurrence Reporting materials? Click here.

Looking for information on how to register for or access SOR-RL? Click here.

Looking for out of home care training resources? Click here.

Residential Licensing Orientation Materials

1. Children’s Residential Licensing Orientation

SOR-RL Residential Licensing How-to User Guides

1. SOR-RL Children’s Residential Licensing Training for Service Providers

2. SOR-RL Residential Licensing User Guide for Applicants and Licensees

3. SOR-RL Residential Licensing User Guide Related to System Enhancements resulting from CYFSA Regulation Amendments

4. Police Record Check Documents Training and Reference Materials

Important Documents for Residential Licensees or Applicants

1. Appendix A - Program Description form for license renewal or new license application

2. Appendix B – Additional Information form for licence renewal or new licence application

3. Residential Licensing Checklists

4. Regulator’s Expectations for Licensees’ Responses to Findings of Non-Compliance