Compassionate Support Services for Individuals and Families Across Ontario
Finding the right support for someone you love is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Shield Family Care Services is here to make that journey easier — with qualified, caring professionals who treat every individual with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Submit a Care Request
Complete the form and a care coordinator will be in touch within one business day. There is no obligation — just a friendly, confidential conversation about how we can help.
Your privacy matters. Health-related information shared through this form will be handled with strict confidentiality in accordance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and PIPEDA.
You Deserve Support You Can Trust
Caring for a loved one — whether they have a developmental disability, a physical or mental health need, or simply require help to maintain their independence — is deeply rewarding but can also be overwhelming. You want to know that the person providing support is not only qualified but genuinely compassionate.
At Shield Family Care Services, we understand the weight of that responsibility. Our mission is to match individuals and families across Ontario with support workers, PSWs, DSWs, and behaviour professionals who truly care — people who show up reliably, treat your loved one as a whole person, and communicate openly with your family every step of the way.
Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis, transitioning out of hospital care, or simply need a break, we are here with consistent, personalized support that fits your life.
What We Offer
From in-home personal care to community access support, our services are designed around your loved one's individual needs and goals.
In-Home Personal Care
Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility, medication reminders, and daily routines — delivered in the comfort of your home.
Respite Care
Planned and emergency respite for family caregivers who need a break — whether for a few hours or several days.
Learn about Respite Care →Developmental Disability Support
Individualized support for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, focused on independence, social inclusion, and life goals.
Learn about DD Support →Behaviour Support
Skilled behaviour technicians and specialists who develop and implement positive behaviour support plans in your home environment.
Learn about Behaviour Support →Community Access & Skill Development
Support with getting out into the community — recreational activities, social participation, transportation, and building life skills.
Learn about Community Support →Healthcare Staffing for Families
Need an RPN for overnight care or specialized health monitoring at home? We provide clinical staff for medically complex clients.
Learn about Healthcare Staffing →Our Commitment to Safety and Dignity
Every person we support deserves to be treated with respect — not just as a client, but as an individual with unique strengths, preferences, and aspirations. Our entire model is built around that belief.
- Thorough staff screening: Criminal record checks, vulnerable sector checks, reference verification, and credential confirmation before every placement
- Compatibility matching: We take time to understand your loved one's personality, preferences, and communication style before making a match
- PHIPA-compliant information handling: All health and personal information is kept strictly confidential per Ontario's health privacy legislation
- Ongoing supervision: Coordinators check in regularly with families and support workers to ensure quality and address any concerns promptly
- Transparent communication: You will always know who is coming, when, and what to expect — with a direct line to our coordination team
- Zero tolerance for abuse: All staff complete mandatory training in abuse recognition and prevention, aligned with Ontario's Vulnerable Persons legislation
How Our Intake Process Works
We have designed our intake process to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Most families have a support worker in place within days of their first contact with us.
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Submit a Care Request
Complete the Care Request Form below or call us at (905) 484-0470 / +1 (866) 242-3577. Tell us a little about your loved one's needs and your timeline — there's no obligation.
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Needs Assessment Call
A care coordinator will contact you within one business day for a confidential conversation. We will ask about the individual's routines, preferences, goals, and any specific support requirements.
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Care Plan Development
We develop a personalized care plan together with you and, where appropriate, with the individual receiving support. This plan guides every shift and is reviewed regularly.
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Worker Matching
We identify candidates from our team whose skills, experience, personality, and availability best match your loved one's needs. You have the opportunity to meet the worker before care begins.
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Care Begins — With Ongoing Support
Support starts, and your coordinator remains available for questions, feedback, or changes at any time. We check in after the first week and regularly thereafter.
What to Expect from Your Support Worker
Every SFCS support worker is carefully selected not only for their qualifications, but for their character, reliability, and genuine commitment to the people they support.
Empathy and Patience
Support workers are selected for their natural empathy. They meet individuals where they are — adapting communication and approach to each person's unique needs and comfort level.
Consistency and Reliability
We strive to place the same worker consistently for your loved one. Routine and familiarity are important — we take shift reliability seriously and always arrange coverage when needed.
Open Communication
Support workers document each visit and communicate important observations to your coordinator. Families are kept informed and are encouraged to share feedback at any time.
Relevant Training and Qualifications
Workers are matched based on the specific training required — whether that's PSW certification, DSW diploma, behaviour training, first aid/CPR, or clinical nursing credentials.
Safety-First Approach
All workers follow your loved one's care plan, know emergency protocols, and complete incident documentation as required. Your loved one's safety is never compromised.
Respect for Autonomy
We believe in supporting — not overriding. Workers encourage individuals to make their own choices, build on their strengths, and maintain as much independence as possible.
Care Plans Built Around the Individual
No two people are the same, and no two care plans should be either. From the very beginning of our intake process, we work to understand the whole person — their history, strengths, challenges, daily preferences, and long-term aspirations.
Your family's input is central to how we build the plan, and we update it whenever circumstances change. Our coordinators are trained to listen carefully and translate what they hear into practical, goal-oriented support strategies.
- Built collaboratively with the individual and family
- Reviewed at regular intervals and after any significant changes
- Aligned with any existing ODSP, social work, or OT recommendations
- Accessible to you and your coordinator at any time
- Focuses on strengths and goals, not just limitations
Families FAQ
We know you have questions. Here are some of the most common ones from families we have worked with.
In most cases, we can have a qualified support worker in place within 3–7 business days of your initial intake call. For urgent situations — such as a hospital discharge or sudden gap in care — we prioritize placement and will do our best to find coverage within 24–48 hours. The exact timeline depends on the complexity of the role and the location of the individual.
Your family's comfort with the support worker is essential to a successful placement. If the match doesn't feel right — for any reason — simply let your coordinator know and we will arrange an alternative without any hassle or hard feelings. We take fit seriously and would rather find the right person than continue with a worker who isn't working out. There is no fee to request a rematch.
Yes. We work with families who are funded through a variety of provincial programs, including Passport funding (developmental services), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) direct funding, and Home and Community Care Support Services (formerly CCAC). We can also accept private pay arrangements and work with some insurance benefit plans. During your intake call, our coordinator will discuss funding options available to your family and help you understand how to access them.
Absolutely. All information you provide — including any health-related details about the person needing support — is handled with strict confidentiality under Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and federal PIPEDA legislation. We do not share, sell, or disclose your personal or health information to any third party without your explicit consent, except as required by law. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page or contact our team directly.