Hear the Child
Hear the Child reports allow parents and professionals to hear the thoughts, opinions, and wishes of a child whose family is re-structuring. Children have the right to be heard in family law processes and their voices are an important part of determining what is in their best interests. There are many ways to hear children in family law matters, including by evaluative Views of the Child reports and through children’s counsel. Hear the Child reports are non-evaluative reports that provide exactly what a child shares with the interviewer and authorizes the interviewer to include in the report. Interviewers are neutral professionals with significant training in listening to and reporting the views of children. These reports do not include any recommendations or the opinion of the interviewer. Kendra provides these reports where caregivers consent or where a court order provides for a Hear the Child report, and where the child in question agrees to be involved.
Kendra is a member of the BC Hear the Child Society’s roster of professionals trained to listen to children and provide these reports. Kendra also brings their experience as children’s counsel to this work and is skilled at allowing children to feel safe in sharing their views.
Hear the Child reports must be with the consent of all guardians or pursuant to a court order. Juniper Law offers flat rate services starting at $800 plus applicable taxes and disbursements for reviewing introductory material, two meetings with the child, and to prepare the report. For families with two or more children, please contact our office with details to receive a fee estimate. Kendra offers Hear the Child reports in the greater Victoria area and is able to travel within that region as needed (travel would incur additional fees). Appointments for children are flexible and can include evenings and weekends where needed. More details about this process are available upon request.
11 – 1140 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8V 3K8
T: 250.940.1653
F: 250.388.3841
Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories
