The new Residential Care Regulation came into effect on October 1, 2009 and replaces the Adult Care Regulations and the residential pieces of the Child Care Licensing Regulation. These regulations provide increased protections to the health, safety and dignity of persons in care while being outcome-based where possible.
Please go to the Community Care Licensing Branch website to review the legislation that is now in effect and to download a copy of the Residential Care Regulation.
Copies can also be obtained from Queen’s Printers:
In the province of British Columbia there is legislation to protect adults and children receiving care in licensed residential community care facilities. This legislation is the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and the Residential Care Regulation. Individuals providing care to more than two individuals, not related to them, are required to be licensed, and to provide care in a licensed setting.
Care means supervision that is provided to:
- a child or youth through a residential care facility;
- an adult who is vulnerable because of family circumstances, age, disability, illness or frailty; and dependent on caregivers for continuing assistance or direction in the form of 3 or more prescribed services.
Prescribed services are defined in the Community Care and Assisted Living Regulation as:
- regular assistance with activities of daily living, including eating, mobility, dressing, grooming, bathing or personal hygiene;
- central storage of medication, distribution of medication, administering medication or monitoring the taking of medication;
- maintenance or management of the cash resources or other property of a resident or person in care;
- monitoring of food intake or of adherence to therapeutic diets;
- structured behaviour management and intervention;
- psychosocial rehabilitative therapy or intensive physical rehabilitative therapy.
Licensing Officers inspect, license and monitor over 200 licensed residential care facilities in the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Info Sheets
Release of Persons in Care from Residential Care Facilities (PDF)
Use of Restraints in Residential Care Facilities (PDF)
Care Plan Information for Caregivers in Residential Facilities (PDF)
Policies and Procedures (PDF)
Filing a Complaint (PDF)
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (PDF)
Health and Safety Plans (PDF)
Investigation Process (PDF)
What is an Exemption? (PDF)
Change of a Manager Child or Residential Facility (PDF)
First Aid Supplies for Supplies for Residential Facilities (PDF)
Licensing of Child and Residential Facilities (PDF)
Reportable and non Reportable Incidents (PDF)
Steps to Obtaining a Community Care License for a Residential Facility (PDF)