Young people in and after care who express their opinion are no petitioners but experts in the field of being put into care and should be treated as such!
During change and desicion processes there should be discussed not about but with the young people affected.
Thus, when there are conferences, teams, committees concerned with young people in care and standards for that, at least one representative of young people being put into care should be invited.
Participation
in decision processes concerning the own life:
Young people
in/after care have, dependent on their age, a right to participate in
all decisions concerning their own life (see article 12,16 KRK).
Therefore
it should be guaranteed that
·
the young people are informed in detail about all steps (e.g. to be put
into care) before they are taken and are asked their opinion with the
support of someone they trust. The wish of the young person concerned
has to be considered with priority.
· each
child gets the chance to assess the quality of the form of accomodation
and to request changes within short, regular intervals (not longer than
6 months). The wish of the young person concerned has to be considered
with priority.
· all
young people in care have to be involved in decisions regarding their
own life and future, like what school to attend, what kind of education
or job to decide for etc. They have to be informed in detail about all
possible alternatives. The wish of the young person concerned has to be
considered with priority.
· All
young people in care have to be involved in the preparations for leaving
the care and have to have the freedom to decide for themselves on where
to live, what religion to choose etc.
To ensure proper keeping of the right of participation and decision a independent arbitration board has to be set up helping the young people legally and psychologically.