Information Brief - Children`s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

Information Brief
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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.
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