1.A.230 Student Registration- Living with a Responsible Adult

PDF Version

School Administration

 

 

 

 


Administrative Procedure: Student Registration - Living with a Responsible Adult

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

September 28,2011

 

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ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE CODE:

1.A.230

AMENDED DATE:

September 2025

Policy Reference

 

 

Legal Reference

 

PSA - resident pupil

 

 

 


There will be circumstances when schools are requested to register students who are not living with their parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s).  Student registrations are to be processed in accordance with the Manitoba Public Schools Act, inclusive of the Funding of Temporary Resident Guidelines.  Prior to registering students who do not live with their parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s), contact must be made with the Superintendent’s office. 

 

When the child is staying with a responsible adult, other than their legal parent/guardian, schools/divisions:

o Can continue to verify the residence of the responsible adult.

o Can verify that the parent/guardian resides in Canada and that they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

o Can verify that the parent/guardian is supportive of the arrangement and that they are willing to agree to the role/responsibilities as outlined in an agreement as contemplated below, if applicable.

o Establish information sharing, contact and permission process/agreement with the parents/guardians and the responsible adult. The parents’/guardians’ responsibility for their child(ren) is not reduced/altered when they are residing with a responsible adult, although the responsible adult may take on some of the day-to-day responsibilities associated with sending the child to school.

 

In cases where a child has become disengaged from their parents/guardians or for whatever reason it is not possible to be in contact with them, barring evidence that the child does not have a right to attend a Manitoba public school, the child should be enrolled.

o In such cases the responsible adult may be asked to attest that the location of the parents/guardians is unknown or that they cannot be contacted, and that the responsible adult is providing the necessary care/control of the child.

o In such instances the division may choose to exercise a greater level of attention to the child’s care as to ensure that the child is not in danger or being neglected.

o For day-to-day permissions, the responsible adult is an appropriate decision maker. In instances where a parent or guardian must make the decision or provide consent, (e.g., for medical services, clinical assessments), the division may want to seek guidance from Child and Family Services.

 

RESPONSIBLE ADULT

 

A responsible adult is an adult who is not the student’s parent/legal guardian but who has been designated by the student’s parent/legal guardian to provide day-to-day care for the student. A responsible adult can also be an adult providing day-to-day care for a student when the student has no contact with their parent/legal guardian.

 

A designated responsible adult should be at least 18 years of age, and capable of providing care and control of the student and acting in the best interest of the student.

 

A designated responsible adult does not have to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident, as long as the student’s parent/legal guardian is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They do have to live in Manitoba and within the catchment the student is registering in. Proof of residence must be provided.

 

When enrolling students living with a responsible adult within the school’s catchment, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) should complete a registration addendum that outlines who is the responsible adult, communication between the school and the responsible adult, communication with parent(s)/legal guardian(s), and authorities of the responsible adult.

 

The school will verify the parent/legal guardian’s citizenship or permanent residency status, the contact information for parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and responsible adult(s), and the residency of the responsible adults with two pieces of identification or documentation to ensure the student lives in the catchment area.

 

A parent(s)/legal guardian(s) can withdraw consent for the responsible adult at any time by notifying the school principal in writing.

 

If the student is disengaged from their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or the parents cannot be contacted, the responsible adult should complete a registration addendum that outlines the communication they will receive and attests to the absence of the parents.

 

The addendum should note that without consent of a parent or legal guardian, the responsible adult cannot provide consent for clinical services, release forms, medical forms, and field trips that extend beyond the school day.

 

Orders Superseding a Responsible Adult Arrangement

 

Orders made under The Child and Family Service Act, including apprehension orders, guardianship orders, decision-making orders, parenting arrangements, kinship care arrangements, and mechanisms created under Indigenous Child and Family services law supersede responsible adult arrangements.

Custody arrangements and court orders also supersede responsible adult arrangements and cannot be challenged.

 

Assessing Responsible Adult Arrangements

 

It is the responsibility of schools and school divisions/districts to assess responsible adult living arrangements. As part of this assessment, schools and school divisions/districts should consider whether the arrangement aligns with the intention of the legislation. This may include the following considerations:

• Parent/legal guardian’s citizenship/permanent residence status

• Age of the responsible adult

• Relationship between the responsible adult, student, and their family

• Ability of responsible adult to provide care and control of the student

• Parental support of the arrangement

• Presence of a care arrangement, such as a Kinship Agreement or Customary Care Agreement

• Presence of a custody agreement or other relevant court order

 

School divisions can ask questions about the arrangement and request documentation beyond what is in the registration addendum to determine if the arrangement is safe and aligned with the intention of the legislation.

 


Registration Addendum for Student Living with a Responsible Adult with Parental Consent
  
PDF FORM

 The Public Schools Act allows students living with a responsible adult to enrol in their local school. A responsible adult is an adult who is not the student’s parent/legal guardian but who has been designated by the student’s parent/legal guardian to provide day-to-day care for the student. To enrol in school while living with a responsible adult, the parent/legal guardian of the student must reside in Canada and be a citizen or permanent resident.

 

School divisions/districts have the authority to review proposed arrangements to determine if they meet the intention of the legislation. Parents may appeal decisions through the school division/districts’ appeal processes. All decisions by school divisions/districts are final.

 

The following form is to be filled out by families whose parent or legal guardian wants their child to live with a responsible adult within the school division/district catchment area. Additional information and/or documentation may be required to satisfy the school division/district that the student is eligible for registration.

 

By filling out and signing this form as the parent(s)/legal guardian(s), you are declaring that the student is living with the responsible adult in the school division/district catchment, and you are granting permission to the student being registered in the division/district while living with the responsible adult.

 

In addition to this form, the parent/legal guardian must complete the registration package, and with the help of the responsible adult, provide proof of address of the responsible adult(s) in the catchment.

 

Please note: If the student is found not to be residing with the responsible adult and/or not in the school catchment, they may be removed from the school division.

 

Contact Information

Student Name (hereafter referred to as the student)

School

Birthdate

Parent/Legal Guardian 1 Name

Address

Phone number(s)

Email address

Parent/Legal Guardian 2 Name

Address

Phone number(s)

Email address

Responsible Adult 1 Name

Address

Phone number(s)

Email address

Relationship of responsible adult to student

 

Responsible Adult 2 Name (optional)

Address

Phone number(s)

Email address

Relationship of responsible adult to student

 

Communications

 

Responsibilities and Communication

The responsible adult(s) will be listed as the primary contact for the student and be the decision maker for day-to-day permissions. The responsible adult is authorized as the primary decision maker for the following: (select all that apply)

• Access the school’s parent portal

• Sign school forms such as photo releases

• Sign medication forms

• Approve school vaccinations

• Participate in student-specific planning processes

• Approve student-specific educational plans

• Provide informed consent for school-based assessments and/or screenings

• Provide informed consent for school-based clinical services

• Provide informed consent for external services and supports

• Release of medical information

• Release of information for outside agencies

• Receive report cards

• Attend student-led/parent-teacher conferences

• Sign forms for off-site activities (e.g., field trips, sports trips, and other outings)

• Code of conduct concerns

• Emergency situations

• Other

 

The responsible adult will receive communications from the school. The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) would also like to receive the following communication:

• Day-to-day communications from the school

• Access to the school’s parent portal

• Report cards

 

Please reach out to the school if you require clarification on any of these areas.

Conditions and Limitations

Please select one of the following:

There are no conditions or limitations attached to the responsible adult’s authority.

or

The following conditions and limitations apply to the responsible adult’s authority.

 

List any conditions (e.g., communication the parent(s)/guardian(s) want to receive, specific decisions that require consent of the parent(s)/guardian(s))

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

List any limitations (e.g., cannot consent to the student travelling out of province, cannot change the student’s school)

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

Emergency Contact Verification

 

Please identify the order of whom should be contacted after the responsible adult in the case of emergency.

 

First contact (responsible adult): _______________________________________

 

Second contact: _____________________________________ (parent/guardian/emergency contact)

 

Third contact: _____________________________________ (parent/guardian/emergency contact)

 

Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) Consent

By signing this form, I acknowledge I have given permission for my child, ____________ (the student), to reside in the School Division/District Catchment with ________________(the responsible adult). I acknowledge that the responsible adult lives in the school division catchment and will have care and control of my child.

I confirm that the student will be living full time at the home of he responsible adult. I understand that registration documents will state that the student is residing full time at the responsible adult’s home in the school catchment area.

I understand that the responsible adult will be listed as my child’s primary contact and decision maker for day-to-day permissions. I further acknowledge that I have filled out who is to be contacted for the situations listed above.

 

Parent/Legal Guardian 1 Name and Signature

Date

 

Parent/Legal Guardian 2 Name and Signature

Date

 

I understand that I may withdraw this consent at any time by notifying the school principal in writing.

 

Responsible Adult Consent

As the responsible adult caring for ____________________________________ (the student), I acknowledge that I will act as their primary contact, decision maker for the situations filled out above, and that I will have care and control of them.

I understand that I will be the first emergency contact for the student and that I will be responsible for picking them up if they are sick or need to be removed from the school for any reason.

I confirm that the student will be living full time at my home. I understand that registration documents will state that they is residing full time at my home in the school catchment area.

I confirm that I understand the responsibilities of my role as the responsible adult for the student

 

Responsible Adult 1 Name and Signature

Date

 

Responsible Adult 2 Name and Signature (optional)

Date

 

 

School has verified: (check once verified)

 

Legal guardianship to designate the responsible adult(s)

Contact information for both parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and responsible adult(s)

Residency of the responsible adult(s) via two pieces of identification




Registration Addendum for Student Living with a Responsible Adult with No Parental Consent

 PDF FORM

The Public Schools Act allows students living with a responsible adult to enrol in their local school. A responsible adult is an adult who is not the student’s parent/legal guardian but who has been designated by the student’s parent/legal guardian to provide day-to-day care for the student (see Addendum With Parental Consent). A responsible adult can also be an adult providing day-to-day care for a student when the student has no contact with their parent/legal guardian. To enrol in school while living with a responsible adult, the parent/legal guardian of the student must reside in Canada and be a citizen or permanent resident.

 

School divisions/districts have the authority to review proposed arrangements to determine if they meet the intention of the legislation. Parents may appeal decisions through the school division/districts’ appeal processes. All decisions by school divisions/districts are final.

 

The following form is to be filled out by the responsible adult seeking to register a child living with them within the school division/district catchment area. Additional information and/or documentation may be required to satisfy the school division/district that the student is eligible for registration.

 

By filling out and signing this form as a responsible adult, you are declaring that the student is living with you in the school division/district catchment, and that, to the best of your knowledge, the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada.

 

In addition to this form, you must complete the registration package and provide proof of address of the responsible adult(s) in the catchment.

 

Please note:

• Without consent from the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s), you cannot provide consent for clinical services, release forms, medical forms, and field trips that extend beyond the school day.

• If the student is found not to be residing with you and/or not in the school catchment, they may be removed from the school division.

 

Contact Information

Student Name

School

Birthdate

Responsible Adult 1 Name

Address

 

Phone number(s)

Email address

Relationship of responsible adult to student

 

Responsible Adult 2 Name (Optional)

Address

Phone number(s)

Email address

Relationship of responsible adult to student

*School to verify residency of responsible adult with two pieces of identification.

 

Responsibilities and Communication

The responsible adult will be listed as the primary contact for this student. The responsible adult will serve as the primary contact and decision maker for the following:

• Access the school’s parent portal

• Day-to-day communication from the school by phone and email

• Attendance at student-led/parent-teacher conferences

• Sign forms for local field trips no longer than the school day

 

Responsible adults cannot give consent for clinical services or medical decisions. Responsible adults may be asked for informed consent for clinical assessments, education-relation evaluations, or other educational services. The school or school division/district may contact Child and Family Services for guidance in these situations.

 

Responsible Adult Consent

As the responsible adult caring for ____________________________________ (the student), I acknowledge that I will act as their primary contact, decision maker for day-to-day permissions, and that I will have care and control of the student

 

I understand that I will be the first emergency contact for the student and that I will be responsible for picking up the student if they are sick or need to be removed from the school for any reason.

 

I confirm that the student will be living full time at my home. I understand that registration documents will state that the student is residing full time at my home in the school catchment area.

 

I confirm that I understand the responsibilities of my role as the responsible adult for the student

 

I confirm that the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of the student cannot be contacted, and that to the best of my knowledge, they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.

 

Responsible Adult 1 Name and Signature

Date

 

 

Responsible Adult 2 Name and Signature (optional)                      

Date:

 

School has verified: (check once verified)

Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) cannot be contacted

Contact information for the responsible adult(s)

Residency of the responsible adult(s) via two pieces of identification

 

Registration Addendum for Student Living with a Responsible Adult with No Parental Consent

 

The Public Schools Act allows students living with a responsible adult to enrol in their local school. A responsible adult is an adult who is not the student’s parent/legal guardian but who has been designated by the student’s parent/legal guardian to provide day-to-day care for the student (see Addendum With Parental Consent). A responsible adult can also be an adult providing day-to-day care for a student when the student has no contact with their parent/legal guardian. To enrol in school while living with a responsible adult, the parent/legal guardian of the student must reside in Canada and be a citizen or permanent resident.

 

School divisions/districts have the authority to review proposed arrangements to determine if they meet the intention of the legislation. Parents may appeal decisions through the school division/districts’ appeal processes. All decisions by school divisions/districts are final.

 

The following form is to be filled out by the responsible adult seeking to register a child living with them within the school division/district catchment area. Additional information and/or documentation may be required to satisfy the school division/district that the student is eligible for registration.

 

By filling out and signing this form as a responsible adult, you are declaring that the student is living with you in the school division/district catchment, and that, to the best of your knowledge, the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada.

 

In addition to this form, you must complete the registration package and provide proof of address of the responsible adult(s) in the catchment.

 

Please note:

• Without consent from the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s), you cannot provide consent for clinical services, release forms, medical forms, and field trips that extend beyond the school day.

• If the student is found not to be residing with you and/or not in the school catchment, they may be removed from the school division.

 

Contact Information

Student Name

School

Birthdate

Responsible Adult 1 Name

Address

 

Phone number(s)

Email address

Relationship of responsible adult to student

 

Responsible Adult 2 Name (Optional)

Address

Phone number(s)

Email address

Relationship of responsible adult to student

*School to verify residency of responsible adult with two pieces of identification.

 

Responsibilities and Communication

The responsible adult will be listed as the primary contact for this student. The responsible adult will serve as the primary contact and decision maker for the following:

• Access the school’s parent portal

• Day-to-day communication from the school by phone and email

• Attendance at student-led/parent-teacher conferences

• Sign forms for local field trips no longer than the school day

 

Responsible adults cannot give consent for clinical services or medical decisions. Responsible adults may be asked for informed consent for clinical assessments, education-relation evaluations, or other educational services. The school or school division/district may contact Child and Family Services for guidance in these situations.

 

Responsible Adult Consent

As the responsible adult caring for ____________________________________ (the student), I acknowledge that I will act as their primary contact, decision maker for day-to-day permissions, and that I will have care and control of the student

 

I understand that I will be the first emergency contact for the student and that I will be responsible for picking up the student if they are sick or need to be removed from the school for any reason.

 

I confirm that the student will be living full time at my home. I understand that registration documents will state that the student is residing full time at my home in the school catchment area.

 

I confirm that I understand the responsibilities of my role as the responsible adult for the student

 

I confirm that the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of the student cannot be contacted, and that to the best of my knowledge, they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.

 

Responsible Adult 1 Name and Signature

Date

 

 

Responsible Adult 2 Name and Signature (optional)                      

Date:

 

School has verified: (check once verified)

Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) cannot be contacted

Contact information for the responsible adult(s)

Residency of the responsible adult(s) via two pieces of identification

 



Border Land School Division

Border Land School Division acknowledges that the communities and schools located within Border Land School Division sit on Treaty 1 and Treaty 3 land, the original lands of the Anishinaabe peoples and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Border Land School Division respects the treaties that were made on these treaty areas and we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with our Indigenous communities in a spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.