Advocate for children in Local Authority care

[VD2ER]

The care and supervision proceedings concluded a while ago. I am conscious that my children had a guardian they could call upon, though in reality I believe she only saw them a couple of times. Since the hearing I understand the guardian has no further responsibility and so no longer involved.

I was of the understanding that an Advocate should be appointed for my children.

1) Must a child request one or should one be be appointed without such a request? If so from whom?
2) Can a parent request an advocate for the children on their behalf? If so from whom? I have made a request to the Social Worker.

Are there any timescales for this to happen?

Always grateful for a steer as to what I can do next.

[VD2ER]

This is still ongoing.

Their carers believe that the children's advocate is the Independent Reviewing Officer, except the document:
iro_statutory_guidance_iros_and_las_march_2010_tagged.pdf
says that, "When meeting with the child before every review, the IRO is responsible for making
sure that the child understands how an advocate could help and his/her entitlement
to one."

Of course there was no such meeting before the review with the IRO. Is there any reason why I cannot be the child's advocate in the absence of an appointed one?