Inform
The guardian ensure the child is informed
about all matters concerning them, in a language that the child understands.
When informing the child or receiving information from other state authorities
and service providers concerning the child, the guardian ascertains that the
child has understood the information. They could do this, for instance, by
asking the child to repeat what they have understood using their own words.
In general, children should be informed
about guardianship services and the guardianship arrangements concerning them.
At all times, the child has a right to
seek, receive and impart information. Information has to be provided in a
language that the child understands.[1] Information should be gender and culture sensitive and should be provided to
the child in a manner that is adapted to the child’s age and maturity.[2]
Child-friendly information can be provided
in different formats, in a conversation, through child-friendly written
material, through videos, apps or social media content. A combination of these
forms of communication is considered particularly useful for children to hear
the information explained to them, be able to read or view the information
again at a later stage, and to ask questions.
See
also:
Level 1:
Right to be heard, Participation
References:
EU training and learning platform for guardians of
unaccompanied children
Chapter 2: Guardianship in the best interests of the child
Literature:
Council of Europe, Committee of Ministers
(2019), Effective guardianship for unaccompanied and separated children in the context of migration, Recommendation
CM/Rec(2019)11 of the Committee of Ministers, 11 December 2019.
Council of Europe (2018), How to Convey Child-friendly information to children in migration, A handbook
for frontline professionals, Building a
Europe for and with Children, Strasbourg.
Defence for Children – ECPAT The Netherlands
(2011), Core standards for guardians of separated children in Europe, Goals for guardians and
authorities, Leiden. Reference text for handout: 10 Core
Standards for Children.
FRA (European Agency for Fundamental Rights)
(2014), Guardianship for children deprived of parental care, A handbook to reinforce guardianship systems to
cater for the specific needs of child victims of trafficking, Luxembourg, Publications
Office of the European Union (Publications Office).
United Nations (UN), Committee on the Rights of the
Child (2005), General Comment No. 6 (2005), Treatment of unaccompanied and separated
children outside their country of origin, CRC/GC/2005, 1 September 2005.
[1] UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, Article 17. International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, Article 19. Committee on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No. 6
(2005), para. 25. Committee on the
Rights of the Child, General Comment No. 12 (2009). Committee on the Rights of
the Child, General Comment No. 14 (2013), para. 90. See also: Council of Europe, European Convention on the Exercise of Children’s
Rights, 1996, Article 1.2, Article 3.
[2] Guidelines of the
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Child Friendly Justice,
2010, Guideline IV. A. 2.