Your rights

This charter belongs to you. We want to care for you as well as we can. When you are in care and living away from home you have rights. This means that you can  expect to be treated well and to be well cared for.

A charter is a way of letting you know about what to expect when you are in care. Everyone who looks after you is expected to do their best in caring for you.

In making this charter we have talked with young people and people who work with them.

Please read the charter carefully so that you know your rights and can speak up about them.

1. I have the right to know why I am in care. I should be treated like other children who are not in care and can live at home.
2. I have the right to live with people who care about me, who respect me and who I can trust. They will give me enough food to eat, my own bed, a place where I will feel safe, and warm clothes to wear.
3. I have the right to say no to people touching me, hitting me or saying things that make me feel yucky or uncomfortable.
4. I have the right to have a say about things that are happening to me and to be told what is going to happen to me. My social worker or caregiver will talk with me about this.
5. I have the right to develop the things I'm good at and do things that are important to me, within reason. This includes my culture, language and religion. I have the right to get support if I need help to do the things that I want to do.
6. I have the right to have stuff like clothes, pocket money, toys and books, within reason, and I can ask my caregiver or social worker how to get them.
7. I have the right to see, phone, talk or write to my parents, brothers and sisters, and other family and friends. My social worker or caregiver will tell me why if I can't.
8. I have the right to things that are only mine, and I can be on my own if I want to and it's safe.
9. I have the right to go to school and have someone help me with my homework so I can do my best.
10. I have the right to see my lawyer, caregiver and social worker on my own. These adults will listen to me. I can also talk to other adults, like my teacher or caregiver, about my worries.
11. I have the right to have my teeth checked and see a doctor like other children.
12. I have the right to tell someone if I do not feel that I am being listened to or I need someone to help me. I could tell my social worker, caregiver, lawyer or my teacher.
13. I have the right to a copy of the rights that nearly every country in the world agrees kids should have (this is called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child). My social worker can tell me more about this.
14. I have the right to ask to see what is written about me. I should ask my social worker about the best way to do this. If I am not allowed, I must be told.

Children and young people aged 0 to 17 years old have special rights under the law, and are covered by different laws to adults. Everyone in New Zealand - families, communities and the Government - must work together to make sure your rights are protected.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a universal declaration that says young people are important and should be valued, cared for and protected.

A copy of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is available to download from the Office of the Children's Commission website at the following link.

You have the right to make a complaint (grievance) about anything that you think is unfair or unsafe for you while staying with us. The following steps explain how your complaint will be sorted out.

1. You have a complaint

If you feel comfortable, talk to a staff member aboutyour complaint. They will listen to you and try to sortthings out as quickly as possible.

If this does not work, you can ask staff for a Grievance Form. They will explain how the grievance process works and can help you fill out the form. Write down clearly what your complaint is about and what you would like done to put things right. Complete the Grievance Form and put it in the grievance mailbox or give it back to staff.

Staff will also tell you about advocates (support people), who can help you make sure your complaint is carried out fairly.

The manager or senior staff member will then look into your complaint. They will talk to you and maybe to other staff or young people involved. Their decision will be explained to you and a written copy given to you within two weeks.

2. You are unhappy with the decision

You have seven days to ask the Grievance Panel (three people from the community) to look into your complaint.

The manager or senior staff member will tell you (and give you a written copy) of the Grievance Panel's decision. The manager or senior staff member will then carry out the Panel's decision.

3. You are unhappy with the panel's decision

You can ask for the Commissioner for Children to review your complaint. The Grievance Panel or the manager or senior staff member will help you contact them.

Advocates

You can choose who your advocate will be. Think carefully about who would best help you. They can be:

• a member of your family or whānau
• a staff member that you trust
• one of the volunteer advocates from the list
• your barrister, solicitor or youth advocate.

You can contact them yourself or staff can do this for you.

You can download the residence 'getting it sorted' brochure and poster below.

If you feel you are not being listened to or need someone who can act on your behalf, or you want to make a complaint, this is what you can do:

• Speak to your social worker, or you can ask to speak to your social worker's supervisor.
• Call someone at the Office of the Commissioner for Children
• Call someone at Child, Youth and Family.

You can contact us at 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459)