Trust
The guardian forms a positive and trusted communication and relationship
with the child, which is based on respect, dignity and empathy. Communication,
child-sensitive information, honesty and transparency are essential for building
trust.
A guardian takes time to meet and speak with the child, show
they care about the child as a person, give the child time to respond and tell
their stories. When a child behaves in a hostile or aggressive way, the
guardian remains neutral and empathic, without blaming the child or giving up
on the child due to their behaviour. Engaging the child in easy and pleasant
conversations about something the child enjoys talking about could help as an
ice-breaker when communication is difficult.[1]
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.
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] Council of the Baltic Sea States (2018), Service providers as champions for non-violent childhoods, Service
provision for children and parents to achieve and end to corporal punishment, Stockholm, p. 11.