Hon Ruth Dyson

30 October 2007

Charter of rights for children in care

A new Child, Youth and Family charter explaining the rights of children and
young people in care will provide with them a level of comfort on what to
expect when they are in care, said Ruth Dyson, Minister for Child, Youth
and Family Services today.

“Foster families are like any other families with children,” Ruth Dyson
said. “But we must remember that children in our care are among the most
vulnerable people in New Zealand.

“The charter is designed to help them understand what they can expect from
life with their new families, and help make them feel safe and valued.

“It will also ensure they know who they can contact if they have concerns
or need someone to talk to.

“The charter is available in two designs - an interactive version for
children (over the age of five) that they can colour in and personalise and
a ‘teenage’ version for young people. It was developed in consultation with
a group of young people, who chose the designs and helped with the wording.

“The charter for children and young people in care aligns Child, Youth and
Family with other NZ Government funded social services, and the
UnitedNations Convention on the Rights of the Child,” said Ms Dyson.

ends

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