Advocates for Children and Youth

The family as the Child/Youth’s Primary Advocate

Parents and family members are usually in the best position to represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of their children. They are the child’s primary advocates.

The Child and Youth Advocate

When children live away from home and receive services from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, a government system takes on roles and responsibilities normally carried out by parents and extended family members. In these instances, parents and extended family are less able to advocate for their children.

Children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (Enhancement Act) and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA) are entitled to the assistance of an advocate from the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate.

The Enhancement Act and PSECA provide children and youth served under these Acts with a number of specific rights. The Enhancement Act also identifies some particular interests of children and youth (noted as "matters to be considered" in the legislation) that must be considered when decisions are made about a young person under the legislation.

When representing children and youth who are not able to understand what an Advocate does, Advocates will assist young people to understand these interests and rights, and will help them be active participants on their own behalf when decisions are being made that will affect their lives.

When representing children and youth who are not able to understand what an Advocate does, the Advocate's work focuses on the interests-based inquiry and activities. These Advocacy activities examine how the decision maker has considered the various interests of the particular child/youth in light of the available information about that child/youth when making best interests decisions.

Natural advocates

From time to time, an adult friend or interested person such as a teacher or coach has a strong relationship with a child or youth receiving services under the Enhancement Act or PSECA and, at the child or youth's request, may assume a more formal advocacy role.