You have the right to be nurtured by your parents...
Or by people you can trust and count on, and who take care of you! You can’t be separated from your parents unless you’re in danger or your parents don’t look after you properly. In that case, a court will decide where you will live. Any decision must take your opinion and what’s best for you into account, to make sure that you are well taken care of.
And what if you were adopted?
You have the right to access information about your identity.
What does that mean?
If your parents can’t look after you, a judge may decide to put you in a children’s home or a foster family to help and support you. In this case, you have the right to stay in touch with your parents.
What are your rights if you no longer live with your family?
If it has been decided that you can no longer live with your family:
- You still have the right to be protected and supported.
- You have the right to give your opinion if decisions are taken regarding your life in a children’s home or foster family, provided you’re able to understand the situation well enough to give an informed opinion.
- You have the right to see your family regularly, unless it isn’t good for you to do so.
The government wants young people to remain with their families
To enable you to stay with your family for as long as possible, the government can give your parents extra help. Every decision takes your opinion into account and is based on what is best for you.This includes your well-being, your safety and your development, legally referred to as the ‘best interests’..