Does Unregulated Care Mean Unprotected Rights? How a Lack of Professionalization Violates the Rights of Children and Youth in Canada

Abstract

Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCs) play critical roles in supporting young individuals within diverse professional settings across Canada. Despite their fundamental contributions, the CYC profession faces significant challenges rooted in a lack of standardized training, professional recognition, and regulatory frameworks. This paper investigates how these limitations contribute to direct violations of children's rights, as articulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Issues such as inconsistent care practices, inadequate accountability mechanisms, and the absence of regulatory bodies undermine the rights of children to protection from harm, access to education, and the highest attainable standard of health. By exploring these violations and advocating for a children's rights framework within CYC practice, this study underscores the urgency of enhancing professional standards and regulatory oversight to safeguard the well-being and rights of children and youth in Canada.