Advocates for children and young people

Children’s advocates help children to understand what is going on and make sure their views are heard. An advocate can also help a child or young person make a complaint.

They are independent of the social worker (even if children’s services organise for them to come and help).

Children’s services should help children and young people have an advocate in certain situations. For example, where a child is looked after, government guidance suggests that they should be supported to get help from an advocate. For example, if they wish to make a complaint, or if they want someone to attend looked after child review meetings with them. Children in need, those on child protection plans and care leavers may also benefit from having advocates. Government guidance says that if a child wants to attend their child protection conference, they should be given information about how about advocacy agencies. They should be told that they can bring an advocate to the conference with them.