19-Year-Old Ernie

The Advocate derives his authority from the Child and Youth Advocate Act (CYAA).2 The role of the Advocate is to represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of children receiving services through the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act3 (the Enhancement Act), the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act4 (PSECA), or from the youth justice system. [...] The Advocate may investigate systemic issues arising from the death of a child who was receiving child intervention services within two years of their death if, in the opinion of the Advocate, the investigation is warranted or in the public interest. [...] OFFICE OF THE CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCATE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Terms of Reference identified two systemic issues: the monitoring of placements for youth who transition to adult services; and, the voice of disabled young people in planning their future. [...] This might result in their needs not being fully explored and supported, which could result in a reluctance to engage in the transition process.17 In the United Kingdom, transition planning and review occurs at intervals and involves all of the practitioners providing support to the young person and their family.18 A formal sharing of duties acknowledges that no one person can take on all of the r [...] Voice of a Young Person The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that a young person has a right to an opinion, to be listened to and receive and express information in a variety of ways.21 This right applies equally to young people with disabilities and is included in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons 21 United Nations, 1989.