Your Rights in Care: What You Need to Know
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You won’t get in trouble for speaking up about your concerns or asking questions—it’s your right.
You have rights!
- Be Safe - You have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, and discrimination.
- Be Healthy - You deserve proper medical care, food, clothing, and shelter.
- Be Yourself - You have the right to practice your culture, participate in activities, and get an education.
- Be Heard - Your opinions matter. You should be involved in decisions about your life.
While in Care, You Have the Right To:
- Have your rights explained to you.
- Be properly fed, clothed, and cared for.
- Be protected from all kinds of abuse and neglect.
- Be involved in your Plan of Care.
- Have your views heard and considered.
- Participate in social and recreational activities.
- Practice your religion.
- Be informed about and contact the Representative for Children and Youth and the Ombudsperson.
- Know the rules and what happens if they aren’t followed.
- Receive medical and dental care.
- Have an interpreter if you need one.
- Explore your cultural heritage.
- Have private discussions with a lawyer or a representative.
- Have reasonable privacy and personal belongings.
- Have private discussions with your family, unless restricted by a court order.
What To Do If Your Rights Aren't Respected
- Talk to Your Worker - This is often the quickest way to solve a problem.
- Contact MCFD Client Relations - Toll-Free: 1 877 387-7027 for help finding the right person to talk to.
- Reach Out to Advocates - People like the Representative for Children and Youth, Ombudsperson, Child and Youth Legal Centre or the Public Guardian and Trustee can help.


Get help
● Representative for Children and Youth
- Toll-Free: 1 800 476-3933
- Email: intake@rcybc.ca
- Website: talktotherep.ca
● Ombudsperson
- Toll-Free: 1 800 567-3247
- Website: bcombudsperson.ca
● Public Guardian and Trustee
- Phone: 604 775-3480
- Email: cys@trustee.bc.ca
- Website: trustee.bc.ca
● Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks
- Toll-Free: 1 800 565-8055
- Website: fbcyicn.ca
● Child and Youth Legal Centre
- Call 778-657-5544 or 1-877-467-0037
- Email: cylc@scyofbc.org
- Website: scyofbc.org
● BC’s Helpline for Children
- ○Call 310-1234 (no area code needed), 24/7.


Dig Deeper
For more info on your rights and services, visit:
What Rights and Responsibilities Do I have at the Age...
International Rights of the Child
UN Convention on the Right of the Child that apply to you up until you are 18. All children have the right
- Not to be discriminated against
- To live, be safe and develop to your fullest potential
- To have a voice heard and respected in decisions that impact you
- To have adults make decisions about you that are in your best interest
Dig deeper in Kids have rights!
Have a Voice
Adults making decisions about you should take your views seriously, even if they might not always be able to do exactly what you want.
This right becomes especially important if your parents are separating or you are in the government’s care. You have the right to express your views on things that impact your life. See Your Rights in Care: What You Need to Know and Dealing with Your Parents’ Separation or Divorce.
Register for List of Future Votes
The minimum age Canadian citizens can vote in municipal, provincial or federal elections is 18. If you are 16 or 17 you can register on the List of Future Voters which will automatically register you to vote when you turn 18. You can learn more about registering to the Future Voter list at Elections BC.