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A youth advocate speaks up for children who are in danger or need, and works to determine the steps needed to remedy the situation. They may work directly with children or develop policy changes. A court-appointed guardian ad litem invests time and energy into a child’s best interests. An advocate communicates with all parties involved and presents findings during formal court hearings. They ensure all facts presented are in the best interests of the child and follow up on a judge’s sentence.
A youth advocate is typically someone who speaks up for a child who is or has been threatened. Sometimes, children can’t communicate to an adult that terrible things are happening: A child might be neglected, homeless, hungry, or abused. The role of a youth advocate is to determine if a child is in danger or need and to help determine the steps needed to remedy the situation.
Youth advocates typically serve in a child’s best interest. In many situations, a youth advocate is the only person whose primary concern is the child’s well-being and best interests. However, not all youth advocates work directly with children. Sometimes, youth advocates work to develop federal policy changes in Washington, DC, or work in their own state to make local policy changes that affect children.
Another type of youth advocate is a guardian ad litem. A court-appointed guardian ad litem is a youth advocate who works closely with a child. He or she invests time, energy, and concern into a child, making sure someone is concerned with what is in the child’s best interests.
A youth advocate who works directly with children will typically have many different responsibilities. A main task will be to learn about the child’s life and communicate with all parties involved. An advocate will spend time talking to family members, doctors, teachers, and any other adults who have contact with the child. Typically, a lawyer will make detailed notes about his or her findings that could be presented during a formal court hearing.
An attorney must be present at any meeting, hearing or conference that has to do with the child they represent. During such meetings, it is typically the responsibility of youth advocates to ensure that all facts presented are in the best interests of the child. Following up on a judge’s sentence is also the duty of a defender of young people. An advocate visits the home, school, and other places where the child spends time to assess the compliance of decisions; in turn, usually reports the findings to the judge.
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