What is advocacy?
Advocacy is speaking up for someone else, or encouraging that person to speak up for them self.
The job of an advocate is to hear what matters to you, and make sure other adults listen to you.
It is important for you to be listened to, and that adults are involving you in decisions about your life.
If this isn’t happening, or you have tried and don’t feel heard, visit the is something not OK? page.
Advocacy is not just about supporting children and young people with individual advocacy, but also about helping to make changes to the whole system. The system is Child Safety Service and Out of Home Care – some people call this the Department. This is called systemic advocacy, and is about making the service better for all children and young people who are in care now, and in future.
What are your rights in care?
A right is something you are automatically entitled to. Did you know there are 9 rights that you have when you are in care?
Being in care in Tasmania (foster care, kinship care, or residential care), means:
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE AND FEEL SAFE
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE HEALTH CARE WHEN IT IS NEEDED
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE CONSULTED AND LISTENED TO SERIOUSLY ABOUT DECISIONS THAT AFFECT ME
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS ALONE WITH MY WORKER
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND WITH RESPECT FOR WHO I AM
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO IDENTIFY WITH MY CULTURE AND COMMUNITY AND TO OBSERVE MY CHOSEN RELIGION
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE SAFE CONTACT WITH MY FAMILY AND PEOPLE WHO MATTER TO ME
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN EDUCATION AND TO GAIN LIFE SKILLS
- I HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE MY PRIVACY RESPECTED
This picture shows the Charter of Rights for Tasmanian children and young people in out of home care. Along with each right are examples of what this can mean for you. Knowing about the Charter of Rights may be helpful if you have any worries about living in care.
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