P.E.I. needs to appoint a child and youth advocate to ensure the best care for children, says the Island's association for social workers.

'There are many, many instances when children's voices aren't being heard because they don't have that independent representation.'— Kelly MacWilliams, P.E.I. Association of Social Workers

It is the only province without such an advocate.

"I do think there are many, many instances when children's voices aren't being heard because they don't have that independent representation," Kelly MacWilliams, president of the P.E.I. Association of Social Workers, told CBC News Wednesday.

"An advocate would be someone who is exclusively there for the children, no other mandate or no other agenda but the child or the youth in question, to independently represent the child's interest and hold the service providers accountable."

An advocate would, for example, make sure a child's best interest is at the centre of a complicated custody hearing or that child protection services is considering a child's needs.

Sharon Cameron, deputy minister of community services, said the province will look into the idea, but that there is a good reason P.E.I. has never had a child advocate.

"We're the only province that's never had a child death of any child that's been apprehended and placed in our care," said Cameron.

"Some of the impetus in other jurisdictions has come about because of the legal battles, and legal cases and fatalities that have happened."

MacWilliams said her association doesn't want to wait for that to happen, and that without an advocate children and youth on P.E.I. are not getting the best care.

P.E.I. recently appointed a child and youth commissioner to co-ordinate child and youth services within various departments: Education, Health, Community Services and the Attorney General.

MacWilliams said that is a good first step, but more needs to be done.