REPERE course: Content and learning objectives //

The purpose of the REPERE course is to generate greater awareness of the importance of child participation in legal proceedings and to help professionals develop and implement child-rights friendly practices throughout Quebec’s justice system. Participants will learn to effectively greet children, explain their roles, and listen effec-

01 - INTRODUCTION

tively and appropriately to what children have to say. They will also learn to encourage children to participate in a manner that is respectful of their wishes, informed, safe, suitable for their developmental level and personality, and meaningful to them.

Generate interest among learners about the importance of child participation in legal proceedings

02 - CHILD PARTICIPATION AND BEST INTERESTS

• Gain a solid understanding of the obligations stemming from the right to participate

• Implement practices that support informed, meaningful, non-discriminatory and voluntary child participation

• Ensure participation adds value to the process

03 - EFFECTIVELY ADAPTING PRACTICES TO CHILDREN’S NEEDS

• Prepare and plan in advance for meetings with children and then follow up adequately

• Provide children with relevant information about their trajectory in the judicial system

• Address children’s primary concerns about going to court

04 - LISTENING EFFECTIVELY AND ENSURING CHILDREN ARE HEARD

• Communicate effectively with children

• Recognise the benefits of effective child-friendly communication

• Understand children’s non-verbal language

• Adapt your own verbal and non-verbal language to the child

05 - ADAPTING TO CHILDREN’S DIVERSE NEEDS

• Analyse the factors used to assess each child’s developmental level and personal autonomy

• Adapt professional practices to suit each child’s developmental level and personal autonomy

• Tailor professional approaches to children’s diverse backgrounds and needs (visible minorities, LGBTQI+, disabilities, etc.)