Children’s Commissioner backs charter
Media Release
Tuesday 30 October
2007
Children’s Commissioner backs charter for
children and young people in care
As a champion for
the rights of every child and young person in New Zealand,
Children’s Commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro supports the charter
for children and young people in care, launched by Child,
Youth and Family (CYF) today.
“The development of
this charter and its implementation plan shows Child, Youth
and Family’s commitment to ensuring that children and
young peoples’ rights are promoted and protected while
they are in care.
“My office has heard directly
from children and young people in care that they want a
pamphlet on their rights and they want to know who to talk
with if they have concerns or complaints.
“Four
young people spoke at the Australasian Conference on Child
Abuse and Neglect, hosted by my office in February last year
(2006). When asked what children and young people in care
need in order to blossom, they identified four important
areas that required attention. These are: stigma, rights,
resilience and stability.
“One of the speakers
pointed out that the care system is there to protect them
from others, not others from them.
“Being placed
in care can be an extremely traumatic time for children and
young people. I support them in their desire to have
up-to-date information about their rights and about what to
do if they are not happy with their situation. It is
important that we listen when children and young people
voice their opinions and that they can see the powerful
effect they can have on policy and practice when they
do.
“I believe it is important that all children
and young people in New Zealand are aware that they have
individual rights, as per the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child (UNCROC).
“I commend CYF
on its implementation plan that allows for all children and
young people to receive a copy of the charter as they come
into care; for those already in care to have a meeting with
their social worker to explain what the charter means to
them; and for all caregivers to be made aware of the charter
as well. I believe this process will be valuable in
developing a relationship of trust that children and young
people in care must have with their social
worker.
“We are keen to see the charter work in
tandem with a youth-friendly complaints
process.
“We would also like to see the charter
embodied in the legislation to give it even more strength to
ensure children and young people in care enjoy good health,
education, safety and adequate resources and opportunities
to develop to their full
potential.”
ends