The Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) is an independent officer of the British Columbia Legislature. The office provides oversight of government-funded services for children and youth, with a special focus on those receiving care, support, or intervention from the child welfare, youth justice, mental health, and community living systems.
Vision and mandate
RCY envisions a British Columbia where all children and youth are supported to thrive, protected from harm, and able to exercise their rights. The office’s mandate includes individual advocacy, systemic monitoring, and independent investigations of serious injuries and deaths involving children and youth receiving reviewable government services.
Purpose, roles, and responsibilities
Individual advocacy
RCY provides direct, confidential advocacy to children, youth, and young adults—especially those in care, on youth agreements, receiving services under the Mental Health Act, or transitioning to adulthood. Advocates help young people express their views, understand their rights, and navigate complex systems.
Systemic monitoring
The office monitors how well provincial services are meeting the needs of children and youth. This includes tracking trends, identifying gaps, and assessing whether services are delivered in a fair, culturally appropriate, and effective manner.
Reviews and investigations
RCY conducts formal reviews and public reports on critical injuries and deaths of children and youth who were receiving designated services. The goal is not to assign blame to individuals, but to identify systemic failures and recommend policy or practice changes to prevent future harm.
Key activities
- Providing youth-friendly advocacy by phone, text, or online
- Releasing public reports on the performance of government ministries and agencies
- Investigating serious incidents and recommending system-wide reforms
- Publishing annual service plans and outcome reports
- Engaging with communities, First Nations, and service providers to inform policy
- Educating youth about their rights through workshops and accessible materials
