Best interest of children

Question 1

Guardian

Answer 1

A person or persons who have legal authority over a child

Question 2

What are a guardian’s responsibilities?

Answer 2

Support the child using the guardians money, make sure the child has all the necessary things of life, help the child grow physically, psychologically, and emotionally, and to guide the child towards becoming an independent adult.

Question 3

Child neglect

Answer 3

Failure to look after a child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Question 4

Physical abuse

Answer 4

Deliberate physical force used against a child

Question 5

Sexual abuse

Answer 5

Sexual activity with a child

Question 6

Emotional abuse

Answer 6

Attack on a child’s sense of self worth

Question 7

Who and where can you report child abuse

Answer 7

Children’s aid society, provincial child welfare agency, social workers, police, and crown prosecutors

Question 8

Custody

Answer 8

Which parent the child/children will live with

Question 9

Non-custodial parent

Answer 9

Does not live with the children and may not have access to the children

Question 10

Access

Answer 10

The non-custodial parent’s right to information and to visitation with the child/children

Question 11

Joint custody

Answer 11

The care and control of the child/children is shared by both parents

Question 12

What are the best interests of the child

Answer 12

Needs, stability of home environment, the belief that keeping siblings as often as possible is good, parent child relationship, child’s culture & religion, the parenting abilities of each parent and each parent’s plan for the child’s care, parental conduct, support available from relatives/friends/neighbours, the child’s wishes (age & maturity based).