CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

If you are a child in care, this page is for you.

If you are a parent, this information will help you understand your child’s rights and responsibilities while in care.

What are rights and responsibilities?

A right is something that you are entitled to and can’t be taken away. A responsibility is something that you must do.

What are my rights?

• You have the right to feel safe:

  • No one has the right to make fun of you or hurt you in any way, even if you do something wrong.

  • You have the right to have someone look after you.

• You have the right to stay connected to your family and community:

  • You have the right to visit your family or anyone else important to you, unless a judge or your social worker decides it’s not a good idea.

  • You have the right to be involved with your Native community, whether that is here in Toronto or in another location.

• You have the right to be respected for who you are:

  • This includes the things that may be important to you, such as your cultural and spiritual beliefs, your language, and your family background.

• You have the right to be heard when people are making decisions about your life:

  • You have the right to express your feelings and wishes with everyone involved in your situation.

  • You have the right to speak up if you think something is wrong.

  • You have the right to speak with your social worker or your lawyer without anyone else around.

• You have the right to privacy:

  • You have the right to have time by yourself.

  • You have the right to keep your own things.

  • You have the right to send and get letters that only you can read. (Sometimes your social worker may check your mail, if she or he thinks there is something in it that might hurt you.)

• You have the right to the things that are important to your health, safety and well being, including:

  • Food that is good for you.

  • Attending school.

  • Visiting the doctor and dentist to keep you healthy.

  • Clothing that fits well and keeps you warm.

  • Playing games and sports.

  • Practicing your religion and participating in cultural activities.

What are my responsibilities?

• You have the responsibility to follow the rules in the place where you live:

  • You have the right to know and understand the rules and the right to know what will happen if you break them.

  • You must make sure your foster parents know where you are when you’re not at home.

• You have the responsibility to talk:

  • To your social worker.

  • To your foster parents about what’s going on in your life.

• You have the responsibility to go to school when you should and to do your homework.

• You have the responsibility to be respectful of others and of property:

  • Respect other children, neighbours, and property.

  • Respect the privacy of other people.

  • Don’t take other people’s things without their permission.

  • Respect that every person is different.

  • Be helpful in the home and do your share of chores.

How can I get help?

First, talk to your foster parent or social worker. If that doesn’t help, talk to another person such as a teacher or friend, or your social worker’s boss. (Call 416.969.8510.)

To find out about resources for youth in care, visit the Ontario Youth Communication and Advocacy Network.

If you think you need to talk to a lawyer, call 416.314.8000 or 416.598.0200.

If you’ve tried to solve your problem, but it keeps happening, you can call the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. Here’s how to reach them:

The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

Telephone: 416.325.5669

Outside Toronto call: 1.800.263.2841

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TTY (for people with hearing impairment): 416.325.2648

www.provincialadvocate.on.ca

Mailing address: 250 Davisville Ave., Suite 503, Toronto ON M7A 1G2