The Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency [NI]
Age Group: 0 – 17. Deals with 500 applications to the courts a year.
Specific Interest Group: Children and Young People involved in court proceedings
How are the Children and Young People Involved?
The guardian ad litem is an independent officer of the Court who is experienced in working with children and families. The guardian role seeks to ensure the child’s participation in the court process in a number of ways. The guardian must always ensure that the Court knows the wishes and feelings of a child. Children and young people might put their views in writing to the judge/magistrate, they might meet the judge/magistrate, and they might attend a Court Hearing. Children and Young People over 10 years are given the opportunity to provide feedback on the service they have received, either through a paper questionnaire or via the computerised Viewpoint Interactive questionnaire. This feedback is helping to inform the revision of our professional standards and training programme. The Agency is committed to providing opportunities for children and young people to maximise their participation in the Court process, while ensuring they remain safe.
Role of the Guardians Ad Litem
The role of the Guardians Ad Litem is to advise the courts of children’s wishes and feelings and independently represent and safeguard the interests of children in specified publication and adoption proceedings.
Contacts:
Stephen Knox
Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency
Centre House
79 Chichester St
Belfast BT1 4JE
Tel: 028 90 316550
Fax: 028 90 319811
email: ‘Stephen.Knox@nigala.n-i.nhs.uk’
Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency
Spencer House
14-22 Spencer Rd
L’Derry BT47 6QA
Tel: 028 71 329909
Fax: 028 71 329908
Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency
Dobbin Centre
Dobbin St
Armagh BT61 7QL
Tel: 028 37 528840
Fax: 028 37 518357
