The Children Acts Advisory Board (CAAB) is required to publish guidance on the qualifications, criteria for appointment, training and role of any guardian ad litem appointed for children under the Child Care Act, 1991.
To enable the CAAB to complete this function it looked at guardian ad litem service provision in other jurisdictions, invited submissions from the public, established a consultative group and carried out informal consultations with key stakeholders.
Following the consultative process with a group comprising of representatives from the following: the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and Children; the Courts Service; the Probation Service; the Irish Youth Justice Service; the Legal Aid Board, the Law Society, the Bar Council, the legal profession, current guardian ad litem service providers, independent guardians ad litem, the Irish Association of Young People in Care (IAYPIC), the Children’s Rights Alliance, and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), the CAAB has completed a Guidance Document on the qualifications, criteria for appointment, training and role of any guardian ad litem appointed for children in proceedings under the Child Care Act, 1991.
‘Giving a Voice to Children’s Wishes, Feelings and Interests’
This document was launched by Barry Andrews, TD, Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs on Tuesday the 19th of May 2009.
The CAAB has also prepared an advice document for the Minister which contains a number of options regarding possible changes to current guardian ad litem service provision that it believes are necessary if the provisions of the Guidance Document are to be advanced.