CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Justice Services

These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain. 

 

A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators. 

 

For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.

1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",

5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and

10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".

 

This is designed to be printed and done communally. 

 

FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

 

services are readily available when children, youth, and families need them (no waiting lists)

 

services address young people’s needs holistically, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs

 

services respect the unique nature of aboriginal people’s experiences and cultures

 

services are accessible and appropriate for children and youth with special needs, including those with hidden disabilities (hidden disabilities include learning disabilities, FASD, and other disabilities that may not be immediately apparent)

 

staff and volunteers are carefully screened (for this domain, ‘staff’ refers to police officers, probation officers, lawyers, judges, social workers, youth workers, and other related professionals)

 

staff and volunteers are trained on abuse/neglect issues
 
staff and volunteers are trained on child rights

 

staff and volunteers are trained on hidden disabilities

 

staff and volunteers have the skills to communicate effectively with children, youth, and their families, and treat them with respect

adults clearly inform young people about their rights

 

adults support and empower children/youth to participate in decisions that affect them

 

alternative measures are available for young offenders

 

international guidelines are followed on the administration of juvenile justice

 

arrest guidelines for young people are acknowledged and followed
social networking sites have posts that increase awareness in youth about different justice service related sites

 

a comprehensive and cohesive interagency approach is utilized in service
offices are child and youth friendly in design and appearance

 

meeting spaces are provided to protect the privacy and dignity of children and youth

 

offices clearly display information about complaints processes and advocacy services

 

well-publicized information (how to access services) are available in multiple languages on websites and in print

 

services are easily accessed through toll-free telephone lines

 

foster placements are arranged within the community and with the input of affected children/youth

 

programs exist for incarcerated parents to visit with their children, when in the best interest of the child/youth

 

programs exist for incarcerated parents to raise their very young children, when in the best interest of the child

 

opportunities exist for older rehabilitated youth to play in leadership roles and to act as mentors for at-risk youth and children

 

alternative measures and restorative justice programs are offered for young offenders

 

opportunities exist for offenders to redirect their interests in a positive way that benefits the community

 

safe or transition houses and shelters for victims of relationship violence are available that accommodate the victim’s children and are inaccessible to potential/accused abusers

 

 

OUR COMMUNITY IS

1- UNFRIENDLY             5- OK                     10-A LEADER