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Rights come with responsibilities.

We all have a responsibility to respect other people's rights. This includes the people who care for you, your brothers and sisters, friends, teachers or caseworker.

Responsibilities are what other people can expect from you and how you should behave towards other people.

Here is what some other children and young people have suggested as a way to behave:

"TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO gE TREATED"

"RESFECT OTHERS"

"EVERYONE DESERVES FAIR TREATMENT"

"LET OTHER f E Of LE gE w"'o T"'EY ARE ANO DON'T MA"£ FUN Of TMEM"

"6-0 TO SCMOOl STRAI6-MT AWAY EVERY DAY AND ALWAYS LISTEN"

"LOO" AFTER YOUR goOy"

"YOU NEED TO RESPECT YOUR ELDERS"

"RESPECT OTMER PEOfLE'S fROFERTY"

"LISTEN W'°'EN OTMER PEOFLE ARE SPEA"IN6-"

"SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T ALWAYS MAVE WMAT YOU WANT guT YOU CAN t.T LEAST MAVE YOUR VOICE LISTENED TO"

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IF YOU "AVE A fR08LEMI ARE NOT "AffY WIT" YOUR CARf OR DON'T T"INI< T"AT YOUR RI&-"TS ARf 8fIN&- MET T"ERE ARE A COUFLE Of T"IN(rS YOU CAN DO.

CONTACT INfORMATION

Remember, it's ok to talk to someone about things you are worried about or to complain.

1. First, talk to your Carer or Caseworker

Caseworker name

Caseworker email

Caseworker phone number

DCF Office number

2. Or you can contact someone else in DCF

By ringing 1800 750 167

By emailing DCFcomplaints@nt.gov.au

By writing a letter to:

Department of Children and Families Attention: Complaints Management Unit PO Box 40596 Casuarina NT 0810

3. The Children's Commissioner

In the Northern Territory there is a Children's Commissioner who looks after your rights and makes sure your voice is heard and included in decisions.

The Commissioner doesn't work for the Department of Children and Families and is separate from the Government.

The Commissioner checks that DCF is working according to the law and the right policy and procedures.

If you want to make a complaint and you have already tried Steps 1 and 2 you can call the Children's Commissioner.

Phone 1800 259 256 on Monday to Friday between 8.30am - 4.30pm

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USEFUL NUM8f RS

Police 1 31 444 or OOO

Kids Helpline www.kidshelp .com .au

1800 551 800 (If you ring this number it is free, whatever you talk about will be private and you don't have to say your name. You can ring this number any time in the day or night. The service is specifically for those aged 5 - 25.)

Northern Territory child protection

1800 700 250 (If you are worried or believe that a child or young person you know is being . or has been, abused or neglected).

CREATE Foundation www.create.org.au

1800 655 105 (freecall) 8945 9993 (Darwin) 8953 8358 (Alice Springs)

CREATE is an organisation that is run all over Australia. They work with and for children and young people in care . They talk to people like you in care to find out about your experience and then talk to the government to try and make the care system better.

Club CREATE is a club for all children and young people in care. Once you join, they will send you a newsletter and information about events that are happening.

Lifeline www.lifeline.org.au

13 11 14 (provides 24 hour telephone counselling and support when facing a personal crisis)

Legal information www.lawstuff.org .au (information all about the legal rights of people under 18).

Suicide Call Back Service www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

1300 659 467 (free nationwide professional telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide).

Head Space www. heads pace. org. au

Reach Out www.reachout.com

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INFORMATION FOR CARERS

Who is the Charter for?

This is a Charter of Rights for all children and young people in out of home care in the Northern Territory.

All children everywhere have rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a convention in international law that has been agreed to by 191 countries, including Australia, and is about all the basic human rights that apply to children .

The Charter of Rights for children in out of home care in the Northern Territory draws special attention to and helps to promote the rights of children who are living in out of home care. It is consistent with the rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the National Standards for Out of Home Care.

What is the purpose of the Charter?

The Charter builds on the work that Carers already do to ensure children and young people in out of home care are protected and have the best opportunities.

The Charter contains a list of 12 rights that every child in out of home care can expect to have, things they should be able to do and what they can expect from the people who care for them. Introduction of a Charter will help children in out of home care to know their rights, understand them and have their rights promoted by the people that care for them.

The Charter of Rights was written with children and young people in care and young people who have left care. Their voices are represented by the words used to explain the rights contained in the Charter.

How will a child or young person receive a copy of the Charter?

Under section 68A of the Care and Protection of Children Act it is a requirement that a copy of the Charter of Rights be given to all children and young people as soon as practicable after coming into out of home care and explained to them in age appropriate language. This is the responsibility of the Caseworker.

Some children will be too young to receive a copy of the Charter or discuss their rights. A copy of the Charter will still be provided to you as their Carer and the child's rights promoted through the care, planning and casework they receive, and development of their Care Plan.

What does this mean for a Carer?

Carers are the people who know the child best and what each day is like for the child and whether their rights are being met.

You can support the child or young person that you care for through the care you provide, opportunities you give them and helping them understand and have a say in decisions that affect them.

For a child or young person, rights can be a difficult thing to understand. As a Carer, you can help to explain what rights are and explain them to a child in a way they will understand. For example, you might explain 'privacy' to a child by speaking to them about where they keep their things and where they can spend time alone.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about the Charter of Rights or the individual rights of a child that you care for, you can contact the Caseworker or DCF office.

[!Jg· ~~T www.childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au l!I .. • · ~

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INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE STAFF

Who is the Charter for?

The Charter is for all children and young people in out of home care in the Northern Territory.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a Convention in international law that has been agreed to by 191 countries, including Australia, and outlines the basic human rights that apply to all children, across all countries of the world.

The Charter is consistent with the rights outlined in the United Nation~ Convention on the Rights of the Child, the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020 and the National Standards for Out of Home Care. The Charter draws special attention to and helps to promote the rights of children who live in out of home care.

What is the purpose of the Charter?

The Charter builds on the work that Caseworkers, Staff and Carers already do to ensure children and young people in out of home care are protected and have opportunities to realise their full potential.

The Charter contains a list of rights that every child in out of home care can expect to have, the things they should be able to do and what they can expect from the people who care for them. Its implementation demonstrates commitment by the Department of Children and Families to ensuring children in out of home care know their rights, understand them and have these promoted by the people that care for them.

The Charter of Rights was developed with input from children and young people who are in care and young people who have left care. Their voices are represented by the words used to explain the rights contained in the Charter.

What does this mean for staff who work in Residential Care?

Under section 68A of the Care and Protection of Children Act it is a requirement that a copy of the Charter of Rights be given to all children and young people as soon as practicable after coming into out of home are and explained to them in age appropriate language. This will usually be the responsibility of the allocated Caseworker.

Residential Care staff play an important role in upholding the rights of children in care. You can uphold a child or young person's rights through how you care for and treat children and young people and the opportunities that are provided for them while in care. For example, ensuring a child or young person is included in decisions about them and given opportunities to meet and discuss important issues.

For a child or young person, rights can be a difficult thing to understand. You can help to explain what rights are in a way that the child you are working with understands and makes sense to them. For example, you might explain 'privacy' to a child by speaking to them about where they keep their things and where they can spend time alone.

The rights in the Charter may be different to the circumstances that a child or young person has come from or experienced before. Discussing rights may bring up sensitive issues and where and when these conversations take place should be planned in advance. Staff will be supported through training to develop skills in engaging children and having conversations about rights.

Questions?

If you have questions or concer~s about the Charter of Rights and what 1t means for you in your role caring for children and young people you should talk to your Team Leader in the first instance, and then Manager as necessary.

l!Jm· ;.~· www.childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au l!I •· · •

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INFORMATION FOR STAFF

Who is the Charter for?

The Charter is for all children and young people in out of home care in the Northern Territory.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a Convention in international law that has been agreed to by 191 countries, including Australia, and outlines the basic human rights that apply to all children, across all countries of the world.

The Charter is consistent with the rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020 and the National Standards for Out of Home Care. The Charter draws special attention to and helps to promote the rights of children who live in out of home care.

What is the purpose of the Charter?

The Charter builds on the work that Caseworkers, Staff and Carers already do to ensure children and young people in out of home care are protected and have opportunities to realise their full potential.

The Charter contains a list of rights that every child in out of home care can expect to have, the things they should be able to do and what they can expect from the people who care for them. Its implementation demonstrates commitment by the Department of Children and Families to ensuring children in out of home care know their rights, understand them and have these promoted by the people that care for them.

The Charter of Rights was developed with input from children and young people who are in care and young people who have left care. Their voices are represented by the words used to explain the rights contained in the Charter.

What are a Caseworker's responsibilities?

Under section 68A of the Care and Protection of Children Act it is a requirement that a copy of the Charter of Rights be given to all children and young people as soon as practicable after coming into out of home care and explained to them in age appropriate language.

Some children will be too young to receive a copy of the Charter or discuss their rights. A copy of the Charter can still be provided to their Carer and the child's rights promoted through the care they receive , casework and their Care Plan.

The concept of rights will often be new for a child or young person to understand and discuss. Caseworkers will be supported through training opportunities to develop skills in engaging ch ildren and having conversations about rights.

The rights outlined in the Charter may be different to circumstances that a child has come from or experienced before. Discussing these rights with a child may bring up sensitive issues and where and when these conversations take place should be planned in advance.

It is a Caseworker's responsibility to ensure that the child or young person they are responsible for is aware of the complaint process and role of the Children's Commissioner and understands who to contact if they have questions or concerns about their rights.

Questions?

If you have questions or concerns about the Charter of Rights and what it means for you in your role caring for children and young people you should talk to your Team Leader in the first instance, and then Manager as necessary.

[!)t1• ~~T www.childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au [!) ,_ · ~