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Home > Systemwide > Ethical Practice and Client Rights > Client Rights
Client Rights
When providing services to children, youth, and families, agencies must ensure the protection of client rights, most commonly in the following areas: nondiscrimination, acceptance or refusal of services, ethical treatment, confidentiality, and grievance procedures. The following resources address client rights in child welfare, including State and local examples.
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Protection of Rights and Ethical Obligations
Council on Accreditation
In Accreditation Standards: Client Rights
Describes standards for protecting clients' legal and ethical rights by informing clients of their rights and responsibilities, providing fair and equitable treatment, and providing clients with sufficient information to make an informed choice about using the organization and its services.
Grievance Procedures
Council on Accreditation
In Accreditation Standards: Client Rights
Outlines standards for maintaining a formal mechanism through which applicants, clients, and other stakeholders can express and resolve grievances, including denial of service.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
UNICEF
Provides standards adopted by countries to protect the basic human rights of children in the areas of health care, education, and legal, civil, and social services. The four core principles of the Convention are nondiscrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival, and development; and respect for the views of the child.
Rights of Children in Foster Care (PDF - 112 KB)
Dougherty (2005)
Presents information on several States' efforts to develop a bill of rights for foster children.
The Court System and Child Protection
In Working With the Courts in Child Protection
Children's Bureau (HHS) User Manual Series (2006)
Includes the rights of parents and children in child maltreatment cases.
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Advocating for the Child as Parent: Teen Parents and the Child Welfare System
Katz (2005)
In State of the Art Advocacy for Children, Youth, and Families
View Abstract
Discusses limitations on the rights of minor parents and recommends strategies for addressing the needs of teenage parents involved with the child welfare system in the areas of housing, public benefits, education, medical care, and legal rights.
Child Maltreatment and the Law: Returning to First Principles
Levesque (2009)
View Abstract
Examines legal regulations involved in child protection and family life, including an introduction to the legal and political justifications for the rights of parents, an exploration of State intervention in families, and a discussion of Supreme Court cases dealing with protecting parenting rights.
Children and the Dark Side of Human Experience: Confronting Global Realities and Rethinking Child Development
Garbarino (2008)
View Abstract
Explores the experiences of children around the world and strategies for protecting their human rights, addressing issues such as the environment, child abuse, poverty, war and political violence, gender equality, and more.
Children's Ombudsman Offices
National Conference of State Legislatures (2008)
Provides information on States that have an ombudsman office and reviews the role of these offices in overseeing State children's services.
Children's Rights: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Participation and Protection
O'Neill & Zinga (2008)
View Abstract
Examines how different countries are applying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in their efforts to protect children, including information on a child's right to family, participation rights in school, and the protection of youth with developmental disabilities.
Protecting Parents' Rights When Conducting Investigations of Child Abuse and Neglect: Guidelines for Implementing the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) 2003 Amendments
Beeler, Schneider, Hughes, & Lewis
APSAC Advisor: American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, 17, 2005
View Abstract
Explains provisions under CAPTA for protecting the rights of parents during child abuse and neglect investigations, outlining key questions social workers should consider and providing guidelines for dealing with notification of an investigation, obtaining consent, involving law enforcement, and interviewing.
The Relationship Rights of Children
Dwyer (2006)
View Abstract
Analyzes children's rights in connection with State decision-making about children's personal relationships in numerous aspects of family law, including paternity, adoption, custody and visitation, termination of parental rights, and grandparent visitation.
Standards for the Custody, Placement and Care, Legal Representation, and Adjudication of Unaccompanied Alien Children in the United States (PDF - 503 KB)
American Bar Association Commission on Immigration (2004)
Sets standards for the legal representation, custody, and placement of unaccompanied alien minors in the United States that adhere to certain fundamental principles, including dignity, respect, nondiscrimination, personal safety, privacy, and participation in decision-making.
Vulnerable Children's Rights to Services
Stuttaford (2008)
In Mental Health Interventions and Services for Vulnerable Children and Young People
View Abstract
Outlines key international conventions on children's health rights, summarizes structures for protecting rights, and provides examples from Europe and Africa to illustrate regional and national policies that address rights.
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State and local examples
Client Rights - Policy (PDF - 37 KB)
Oregon Department of Human Services (2007)
Describes clients' rights, prohibits discrimination, requires a display of information, specifies responsibility for monitoring compliance, and describes complaint procedures.
Guide for Parents: Walking Your Way Through the Nebraska Juvenile Court Child Protection Process (PDF - 320 KB)
University of Nebraska Center on Children, Families, and the Law & Nebraska Court Improvement Project (2007)
Explains key legal terms, provides information on types of dependency hearings, and discusses the rights of parents, noncustodial parents, and parents of Indian children.
Illinois Foster Parent Law Implementation Plan, Effective January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 (PDF - 720 KB)
Kids Hope United (2005)
Explains foster parents' rights and responsibilities under the Illinois Foster Parent Law.
Pennsylvania Judicial Deskbook: A Guide to Statutes, Judicial Decisions and Recommended Practices for Cases Involving Dependent Children in Pennsylvania (PDF - 1200 KB)
Judicial Law Center (2004, 4th ed.)
Reviews statutory mandates and case law pertinent to the practice of child welfare law in Pennsylvania and provides guidelines for conducting hearings at various stages of dependency proceedings. An analysis of kinship care and the rights of third parties are included, as well as the rights of older youth in the foster care system.
Rights and Expectations for Children and Youth in Shelter or Foster Care (PDF - 1760 KB)
Florida Department of Children and Families (2007)
Lists the rights of youth in care and describes what youth can expect from the services they receive.
Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (2008)
Addresses the rights of children and youth in foster care, including appropriate care and treatment, communication, shelter, discrimination, discipline, education, medical treatment, clothing, contact with the biological family, caseworker contact, participation in service planning and hearings, and privacy.
Rights of the Parent and the Child
In New Mexico Child Welfare Handbook
Rozier E. Sanchez Judicial Education Center of New Mexico & Corinne Wolfe Children's Law Center (2007)
Reviews the rights of parents and children in the child abuse and neglect process in New Mexico, including substantive rights, limitations, procedural rights, and statutory rights.
The Survival Guide to the NYC Child Welfare System: A Workbook for Parents By Parents (PDF - 404 KB)
Child Welfare Organizing Project (2007)
Explains the process of the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), the rights of parents, and strategies for working with ACS to ensure children are kept at home, returned home as soon as possible, or receive the best care and support possible if they cannot be home.
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