Your rights as a child or young person in care

• You have the right to have contact with your family and community.
• You have the right to be told why you are in care and to keep a record of your time in care.
• You have the right to ask for any information that is being kept about you, to read your file and to add any information to your file.
• You have the right to be treated fairly.
• You have the right to be treated with respect.
• You have the right to feel safe and not be abused.
• You have the right to complain.
• You have the right to services that promote your health and wellbeing.
• You have the right to ask for extra help with your education.
• If you have to go to court, you have the right to be helped and supported.
• You have the right to do things that you enjoy.
• You have a right to your own beliefs and way of life.
• You have the right to make choices about everyday matters.
• You have the right to say what you are thinking and feeling.
• You have the right to take part in making important decisions affecting your life.
• Before leaving care, you have the right to be involved in planning the kind of support and assistance you may need after leaving care.

Always remember these are your rights. They are meant to protect you and everyone involved in your care has to make sure they are respected. The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 requires that these rights are supported by carers and caseworkers.

For an easy to understand explanation of your rights, have a look at our resources for 7 to 12 years old and 13 to 17 years old which include booklets, videos and posters to download.