Advocacy Service

What is the advocacy service?

The Children Act 1989 (Section 26A) gives all children in care, children in need and care leavers a statutory right to advocacy when they are making a complaint or representation to the local authority.

An advocate is someone who is 'the voice of the child'. So, even if the 'best interest' view is clearly the right one, the child or young person can still have an adult supporting them to make sure that their wishes are acknowledged.

How can an advocate help?

An advocate can do a range of things for a child or young person but the most likely are:

  • Listen to them

  • Help them understand what’s happening

  • Support them to share their views and how they feel about things

  • Speak up for them

  • Make phones calls, emails and letters on behalf of the child or young person

  • Supporting them to attend meetings and reviews, or attend on their behalf

  • Help them go through the formal complaints process

  • Signpost the child or young person to the information they need

  • Promote the rights and entitlements of the child or young person

Wherever possible the advocate will encourage the child or young person to speak up for themselves so that in the future hopefully they can deal with issues without the need for an advocate.

Advocates work in an open way and will always tell the child or young person they are working for about any conversations they have had with professionals. If it is a time when sharing this information may be upsetting or harmful to the child or young person, they will work with the professional to make sure they are told in a more suitable way.


Who can get an advocate?

You can have an advocate if:

  • You are a child in care, including if your care and progress is being reviewed

  • You live in a children’s home or somewhere away from your family

  • You have left care (care leaver – usually up to age 25)

  • You are getting help from social care (sometimes called a “child in need”)

  • You are involved in child protection (people are worried about your safety and are having meetings about you)

  • You are in custody, a secure setting, or detained under the Mental Health Act

  • You are receiving health services and want to make a complaint

  • You want to make a complaint about social care or support you are receiving

  • You have Special Educational Needs or a disability (including if you have an EHCP)

  • You may still need care and support when you become an adult and move from children’s services to adult services.

  • You are 16 or 17 and homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless

  • You sometimes go missing from home or care


You can also ask for an advocate if:

  • You’re worried about decisions being made about your life or want to be more involved

  • You don’t understand what’s happening or need things explained in a clearer way

  • You want to take part in meetings but feel nervous or unsure

  • You want someone on your side to support you

  • You feel unhappy, confused, or need extra support


How can I get an advocate?

If you would like further information regarding advocacy, please contact us on the details below.

Telephone: (0191) 643 8215
Email: advocacy@northtyneside.gov.uk

What is the advocacy service?

The Children Act 1989 (Section 26A) gives all children in care, children in need and care leavers a statutory right to advocacy when they are making a complaint or representation to the local authority.

An advocate is someone who is 'the voice of the child'. So, even if the 'best interest' view is clearly the right one, the child or young person can still have an adult supporting them to make sure that their wishes are acknowledged.

How can an advocate help?

An advocate can do a range of things for a child or young person but the most likely are:

  • Listen to them

  • Help them understand what’s happening

  • Support them to share their views and how they feel about things

  • Speak up for them

  • Make phones calls, emails and letters on behalf of the child or young person

  • Supporting them to attend meetings and reviews, or attend on their behalf

  • Help them go through the formal complaints process

  • Signpost the child or young person to the information they need

  • Promote the rights and entitlements of the child or young person

Wherever possible the advocate will encourage the child or young person to speak up for themselves so that in the future hopefully they can deal with issues without the need for an advocate.

Advocates work in an open way and will always tell the child or young person they are working for about any conversations they have had with professionals. If it is a time when sharing this information may be upsetting or harmful to the child or young person, they will work with the professional to make sure they are told in a more suitable way.


Who can get an advocate?

You can have an advocate if:

  • You are a child in care, including if your care and progress is being reviewed

  • You live in a children’s home or somewhere away from your family

  • You have left care (care leaver – usually up to age 25)

  • You are getting help from social care (sometimes called a “child in need”)

  • You are involved in child protection (people are worried about your safety and are having meetings about you)

  • You are in custody, a secure setting, or detained under the Mental Health Act

  • You are receiving health services and want to make a complaint

  • You want to make a complaint about social care or support you are receiving

  • You have Special Educational Needs or a disability (including if you have an EHCP)

  • You may still need care and support when you become an adult and move from children’s services to adult services.

  • You are 16 or 17 and homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless

  • You sometimes go missing from home or care


You can also ask for an advocate if:

  • You’re worried about decisions being made about your life or want to be more involved

  • You don’t understand what’s happening or need things explained in a clearer way

  • You want to take part in meetings but feel nervous or unsure

  • You want someone on your side to support you

  • You feel unhappy, confused, or need extra support


How can I get an advocate?

If you would like further information regarding advocacy, please contact us on the details below.

Telephone: (0191) 643 8215
Email: advocacy@northtyneside.gov.uk