THE OFFICE of the child advocate, or a 'guardian' for children should be in place by the first half of the next financial year or in the summer.
Tanya Chambers of the Inter Sectoal Committee for the Office of the Children's Advocate told The Gleaner that the committee was currently fine tuning a profile of the person who will be appointed by the governor-general.
She said that the 16-member committee comprising government and civil society was now working on a detailed job description of the post.
$20 MILLION START-UP BUDGET
Meanwhile, she said a budget was being worked on for
the office but that already the Ministry of Finance and Planning had allocated $20 million, which was a roll over figure from last year.
Carol Samuels, chair of the committee, told The Gleaner that a Children Registry which is to be established for the reporting of abuse of children would come on stream simultaneously with the Child Advocate Office.
She pointed out that one does not exist without the other. The committee will also be meeting in March with stakeholders in the field to get a feedback as to what is expected of the office.
"We are going to go out there to find out how they feel about the child advocate and what are some of the pressing issues they want to be addressed," she said.
REPRESENT CHILDREN
IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
The child advocate is a provision of the Child Care
and Protection Act, which was passed in the Houses of Parliament last year. Clause Four of the act stipulates that
the Advocate would legally
represent children in Court
proceedings.
The office of the advocate would also be set up to receive complaints and facilitate
complaints from children, including financial assistance. It is expected to have the power of investigation into infringement of children's rights by government agencies and to keep under review the adequacy and
effectiveness of law and practice relating to the rights and best interest of the child.
- Dionne Rose
