Representative for Children and Youth

Ensures that the agencies serving children and youth between the ages of birth and 19 are providing programs and services that meet the needs of this population. 

Assists young adults between their 19th and 27th birthdays who are eligible for CLBC services and who received a reviewable service in the 15 months before their 19th birthdays, or who have aged out of care and who are on or eligible for an Agreement with Young Adults (AYA), or who are on or eligible for a provincial post-secondary tuition waiver.

Has a special interest in children and youth who are in government care, such as foster care or custody, or youth who have been remanded to an institutional or community setting.

Has a special focus on Indigenous children and youth, who make up fewer than one in 10 young people in B.C., but more than half of all children in care. 

Advocacy

• Advocates on behalf of children and youth (birth to 19 years old) to ensure services meet their needs.
• Also advocates for improvements to the system of services for children, youth and their families.
• Initiates reviews and investigates government agencies that provide services to children in BC

Accountability:

• Independently reviews and investigates deaths and critical injuries of children and youth receiving services, with an emphasis on preventing children and youth from being harmed in any way.
• Also has the power to release reports that are independent of government approval and that uniquely focus on the child welfare system.

Review:

• Holds the system of care to account by conducting independent audits, and monitoring and reviewing government services.
• Has the power to investigate a child's critical injury or death.

Contact:   Those having difficulties accessing provincial services for children, youth or young adults are invited to contact the Representative by phone, text or chat.

See Brochure (below) for more information