Alberta
Terri Pelton
BSW, RSW
Child and Youth Advocate
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
www.ocya.alberta.ca
Mandate
The mandate of the Child and Youth Advocate is to provide individual and systemic advocacy for children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth Family and Enhancement Act, the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, and youth involved with the youth justice system, referred to as “designated services”. In carrying out this role the Advocate represents and promotes the rights, interests and viewpoints of children and youth. The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate also provides legal representation to children and youth in matters under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act.
All children have the right to learn about their rights.
Art. 42 – Convention on the Rights of the Child
Services
The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate’s core services include:
- Advocating on behalf of individual young people receiving designated services;
- Providing quality legal services to children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act or the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act;
- Providing public education on the rights, interests and viewpoints of children and youth;
- Building advocacy capacity in the community;
- Conducting research related to improving designated services;
- Conducting investigative reviews into the serious injury or death of a young person receiving designated services;
- Provide information and advice to the government with respect to any matter relating to the rights, interests, and well-being of children.