Children and young people
If you are a young person receiving social care services, you have a right to access independent advocacy. An advocate can help you to make a complaint or to support you to have your views heard in decision-making meetings.
Make a referralWho is it for?
We can help you if you are receiving social care services and are:
- in care
- are subject to a child protection or children in need plan
- have a disability
- are a care leaver
- are 16 to 17 and homeless.
How we can help
Our service can provide an advocate to support you to help you get your views and feelings across.
Your advocate will:
- listen to you and help you understand your rights
- ensure your rights are respected and you are treated fairly
- tell people what you want to say in the way you want it to be said
- make sure you feel safe and protected from neglect and abuse
- get the services you need
- make sure that people involved in your care listen to what you have to say and take your views seriously when decisions which affect you are being made.
Whatever you tell your advocate will be confidential. We will only share information about you with others if you agree we can or where we are concerned about your safety.
Our rights
Knowing our rights is a right in itself, as is having the means to give your opinion, and for others to take these opinions seriously. In some cases, we also have legal rights through legislation like the Children’s Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2002, Care Act, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act. Or we might be eligible for advocacy support if we’d find it difficult to speak up for ourselves and don’t have someone to consult. If you want to find out more about your rights as a child or young person visit https://coramvoice.org.uk/myrights/
Role of the advocate
We can help someone work out what they want in their particular situation and then communicate this to relevant services. It might mean asking questions, challenging decisions, giving support in care meeting and review processes, and making complaints if necessary.
An advocate an
Get information for you
Help you understand your rights and choices
Help you have a voice and be in control
Help you communicate what you want
Help you make a complaint
An advocate can’t
Provide advice
Make decisions for you
Force an opinion on you
Act as a counsellor or befriender
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