As a guardian you have a role to play in various legal procedures that the child may be involved in. In general terms, you have to:
- inform the child of his or her right to legal advice and representation;
- ensure that a legal representative be appointed and free legal advice provided whenever the child is entitled to it;
- monitor the work of professionals providing legal assistance and representation;
- facilitate communication between the child and such professionals when necessary, including by taking steps to organise the presence of a qualified interpreter;
- where necessary, accompany the child and actively participate in interviews and hearings with the child.
In addition to these general tasks, you may also have a more specific role, depending on the type of procedure and the individual child’s situation. This could involve administrative, civil or criminal procedures1. In order to be able to monitor the progress of the legal procedures that the child is involved in (and to take responsibility for the well-being of the child), it is vital to have general knowledge on child protection and migration legislation and policies in Europe in general, and in your country more specifically.
Make sure you gain general knowledge on:
- guardianship;
- international protection and residence permits;
- reception;
- other civil and criminal procedures;
- privacy and data protection.