Information Brief 0 Background The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is a specialised agency with responsibility for the care and protection of children. The ultimate goal of the Authority is to have a positive impact on the lives of all children, particularly, those who are vulnerable and at risk. It will also encourage and support children to enjoy their childhood. At present, the Authority is not yet operational but proclamation of the relevant Acts is imminent. The promotion of and respect for the rights of children, which is the main principle which underpins the Authority’s execution of its functions is to be found in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration and Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Legislation In attempting to respond more effectively to the needs of children who must receive care and protection, a Package of Children's Legislation was passed in 2000 which formed the basis for the creation of the Children’s Authority. The pieces of legislation complement each other and provide for a robust system which brings Trinidad and Tobago into conformity with the provisions of the UNCRC. The status of the current Legislation is as follows: 1 Title Purpose Status 1. Children’s Authority Act 64 of 2000. 2. Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries Act 65 of 2000. 3. Children Act, 2012. An Act to establish a Children’s Authority of Trinidad & Tobago to act as the guardian of the children of Trinidad & Tobago. An Act to make provision for the monitoring, licensing and regulation of community residences, foster care and nurseries in Trinidad and Tobago. Partially proclaimed: only certain sections are in force. An Act relating to criminal offences against children and treatment of child offenders. 4. International Child Abduction Act 8 of 2008. An Act to provide for the application in Trinidad & Tobago of The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and related matters. 5. Adoption of Children Act 67 of 2000 & Adoption Amendment Bill An Act to make provision for the regulation of procedures governing the adoption of children and to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Not yet proclaimed. Requires systems and administrative infrastructure to be in place as children are referred to the Authority. It will replace legislation from 1925, and also part of the Sexual Offences Act. It also increases compulsory school age from 6 – 12 to 5 – 16. In force. Under this Act, the Civil Child Abduction Authority is the Central Authority for Trinidad & Tobago. This Authority is located within the Ministry of the Attorney-General at present. Not yet proclaimed – previous legislation which has been much criticised continues in force. New Bill being debated. 6. Status of Children (Amendment) Bill. A Bill to facilitate the replacement of blood tests by the introduction of DNA analysis to ascertain parentage and possibly for other civil law purposes. Not yet proclaimed. Includes major areas of responsibility for the Authority. Lapsed. To be re-laid in Parliament. 2 Title Purpose Status 7. Family Court Bill, 2009. An Act to vest jurisdiction for all family matters and juvenile matters in a Division of the High Court to be called the Family Court and to make provision for matters connected therewith. 8. Trafficking of Persons Act 14 of 2011. An Act to give effect to the United Nations Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against transnational organized crime and formatters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Lapsed. Awaiting amendment before reintroduction in Parliament. At present The Family Court still operates as a pilot project, but is the Court the Authority expects to interface with most often. In force. Under this Act, the Authority is to liaise with the Counter-Trafficking Unit to provide services to victims who are children. There is great public anticipation for the Authority to become operational and the organisation is working towards providing services as soon as the Legislation has been proclaimed. Some of the core services which the Authority will provide include:  Receiving reports or expressions of concern from children and adults about the treatment of any child;  Investigating reports regarding children who are in need of care and protection;  Assessing children who are in need of care and protection using a team of professionals including social workers, psychologists and medical professionals to diagnose the issues facing children and develop a tailored treatment plan for each child;  Making applications to Court for appropriate orders to further the welfare of children;  Providing support to families of children in need of care and protection;  Facilitating the reintegration of children with their families where possible, feasible and in their best interests;  Managing the Foster Care and Adoption Systems;  Licensing and monitoring children’s homes;  Providing assistance to the Counter-Trafficking Unit in respect of child victims. 3 Mission The Roadmap of the Children’s Authority starts with its Mission which declares the purpose of the organisation and serves as the foundation on which actions and decisions are made. Our mission is to be a child-centred, family focused organisation that safeguards and promotes the well-being of children in need of care and protection. The Authority will work collaboratively to advocate for the rights of the child, conduct assessments, facilitate and regulate care. Vision The Vision of the Children’s Authority is an enduring aspiration which guides every aspect of the organisation’s operation. The Children’s Authority is the hub in the child-protection sector, contributing to a society where all children are valued, protected, nurtured, and empowered to attain their full potential. Organisational Values Child-Centred: We respect the rights of children and value them for who they are. Our work will always be centred on the well-being and best interests of the nation’s children. Family-Focused: We recognise that the family is the primary support system for the child and we will work towards building the capacity within families to take care of their children. Collaborative: Our work will be done in close collaboration with stakeholders in the child protection sector. We understand the multidimensional nature of our work and value the contribution that each stakeholder makes toward achieving the best results for children. Trustworthy: We understand the sensitive nature of our work and employ robust approaches and cutting edge technology to ensure confidentiality of information. We are fair, transparent, open and honest in all our dealings, maintaining the highest levels of integrity at all times. 4 Team-Oriented: Our culture of teamwork, positive work ethic and diligence allows us to combine the quality and expertise of our professional staff to deliver optimum results for children. We respect each other and communicate openly in an environment that fosters collaboration while still maintaining individual accountability. Board of Management The Children’s Authority is led by a Board of Management. In accordance with the Children’s Authority Act Chapter 46:10, the Board must include members who have professional qualifications, experience and skills in Child Psychology or Child Psychiatry, Social Work, Paediatrics, Education, Accounting and Family Law. It must also include a member under the age of 25 years representing youth, a member nominated by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) representative. The Board of Management comprises of: Ms. Stephanie Daly, C.M.T.T., S.C. Mr. Reaaz Dabiedeen Dr. Samuel Shafe Mrs. Khadijah Williams-Peters Dr. Joanne Paul Ms. Valerie Taylor Ms. Shabaana Mohammed Ms. Trishanna Vanita Cassieram Mr. Gregory Sloane-Seale Dr. Derick Forrester Family Law Accounting Child Psychiatry Social Work Paediatrics Education Law Youth Representative NGO Representative THA Representative Chairman Deputy Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Status of the Authority As in the case of any new entity, the Authority has had to engage in significant preparatory activity to inform its planning and to establish the administrative and physical infrastructure. This necessitated a high degree of consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders. The Authority has identified and met the following minimum requirements for start-up:  A hotline to make confidential reports and a child protection information management system.  Investigation protocols with key frontline personnel including the Police, Student Support Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Medical and Psychiatric Social Workers and the Probations Department.  A child-friendly assessment centre ready for use after being customised to be the ‘one stop shop’ to evaluate children and formulate treatment plans. 5  A Child and Family Services Unit to provide support to families and facilitate family reunification and family reintegration.  Programmes to address children who are ‘beyond control’.  A new foster care system.  A new adoption system.  Assessment, training and preparation for licensing Community Residences.  Sensitisation of hundreds of key stakeholders.  Recruitment of over one hundred staff members. Conclusion: As the Authority prepares to open its doors and begin delivering services, it is important to note that child protection is everyone’s business. Therefore, the Authority will be embarking upon a nationwide public education campaign to introduce the Authority’s services and appeal to the public to report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Significant work has gone into creating an organisation that will address the issues affecting children in need of care and protection. As such, the Authority is confident that together with its key partners, stakeholders and the general public, it will realise the best outcomes for the nation’s children. 6