Principles of advocacy

Advocacy asserts that children and youth have rights as individuals, separate from the right to be protected from abuse and neglect, including:

• The right to know about and to access procedural rights specifically provided in legislation and policy;
• The right to be told about decisions which affect their lives and to be given an opportunity to give their own opinions and to be heard on such matters;
• The right to privacy and confidentiality;
• The right to have access to personal and system information;
• The right to a plan of care and access to services which address their specific needs;
• The right to experience continuous and stable familiar relationships in a permanent setting whenever possible, and where this is not possible, in the least restrictive placement capable of meeting their specific needs; and
• The right to know and maintain connections with their biological, cultural, religious and linguistic heritage.

Advocacy has as a primary focus the empowerment of the child or youth to speak for him or herself or to direct and instruct the activities of an advocate to speak on the young person’s behalf.

Advocacy seeks to enhance and support rather than to replace the child’s relationships with natural and community advocates and support systems.

Advocacy must be independent in order to maintain its focus on the child.

Advocacy services must be accessible, accountable and consistent irrespective of the young person’s location or circumstances.