Under the Aegis: Building Trust with Teenagers as a GAL

Discover TIGALA Guardian ad Litem Ezara Regan’s approach to building trust with teenagers and effectively conveying their wishes in court, even when their wishes might differ from what may be in their best interests.

In child advocacy, building trust with teenagers is essential to representing their wishes and interests in court effectively. TIGALA Guardian ad Litem Ezara Regan, who has a passion for helping teenagers, highlights her approach to developing relationships and creating a safe space for young people to share their true feelings and opinions. This foundation of trust enables Ezara to advocate for the young person’s voice, even in complex cases where their wishes may differ from their best interests.

Connecting with teenagers, as Ezara explains, often requires going beyond formal interactions to build real rapport. “It’s really important for me to build a relationship with them, gain an understanding of what they’ve been through and the dynamic within the family and the trauma that they’re experiencing,” she shares. These connections are often established through simple, everyday gestures – like going for a walk, sharing a meal, or sending a quick message to check in. Remembering birthdays, for example, shows she’s genuinely invested in their well-being beyond formalities, building trust so that they feel comfortable expressing their wishes openly.

Sometimes with young people, they wish that they could go home and that mightn’t always be possible.

This trusted relationship becomes invaluable when Ezara prepares to communicate these wishes in court. Teenagers, for instance, might express a strong desire to return home, but due to safety or other considerations, this may not be possible. Ezara recognises the delicate task of presenting both the child’s voice and her professional assessment. “Sometimes with young people, they wish that they could go home, and that mightn’t always be possible,” she explains. In these cases, Ezara’s role is to articulate the young person’s wishes clearly while also providing her expert view on what would be safest and most supportive course of action for them in the long term.

In court, judges rely on this balanced perspective, which incorporates both the teenager’s direct wishes and the Guardian’s insight into their best interests. Ezara’s approach allows for a clear, child-focused presentation that respects the young person’s perspective while prioritising their safety and development.

Ezara’s work with teenagers exemplifies TIGALA’s commitment to effective, compassionate advocacy. By building authentic connections, TIGALA Guardians ad Litem like Ezara and Karen Rogers empower young people to share their voices and ensure that these voices are respected in court, even in the most challenging of situations.