Residential Licensing
On this page:
Residential Licensing Orientation Materials
SOR-RL Residential Licensing How-to User Guides
Important Documents for Residential Licensees or Applicants
Residential Licensing Orientation Materials
1. Children’s Residential Licensing Orientation
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
1. SOR-RL Children’s Residential Licensing Training for Service Providers
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
2. SOR-RL Residential Licensing User Guide for Applicants and Licensees
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
3. SOR-RL Residential Licensing User Guide Related to System Enhancements resulting from CYFSA Regulation Amendments
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 1st, 2023. This guide assists users in performing functions in the system related to the enhancements.
SOR-RL June 28 2023 Release - External User Guide
4. Police Record Check Documents Training and Reference Materials
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 1st, 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
Important Documents for Residential Licensees or Applicants
1. Appendix A - Program Description form for license renewal or new license application
As of March 28, 2022, licensees and applicants for a new license must complete this additional information and upload it as a supporting document to SOR-RL as part of the renewal or new application.
Appendix A for Children’s Residences
Appendix A for Foster Care
Appendix A for Staff Model Homes
2. Appendix B – Additional Information form for licence renewal or new licence application
As of July 1, 2025, licensees and applicants for a new licence must submit additional information with their application, as identified in ss. 254 (1) of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA). Appendix B must be completed and uploaded as a supporting document in SOR-RL as part of the renewal or new application.
Appendix B for all licence types
3. Residential Licensing Checklists
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
4. Regulator’s Expectations for Licensees’ Responses to Findings of Non-Compliance
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.