Why Children and Young Person’s Advocacy Matters
3rd May 2023 / Posted by Family Welfare
In April 2021, almost 650 children* were living in care in Wigan – a number that’s likely risen over the last two years.
At Family Welfare we want to support children and young people to have the best possible start in life. Our children and young person’s advocacy service exists to ensure young people in care in Wigan have their voices heard and their views represented.
The advocacy service is for children being looked after in Wigan local authority care between the age of 4-17, or who have left care and are aged between 18-25. Other eligibility criteria do apply, please check here for the full list.
Speaking up for Children and Young People (CYP)
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that:
“Every child has the right to say what they think in all matters affecting them and to have their views taken seriously”.
Children in care or being cared for (such as adopted or fostered children) and young people who have left care have a legal right to be heard. A professional advocate can be called in if a child feels their views, opinions, wishes and feelings are not being heard, or they do not have a voice within the situation they find themselves.
Young people in the care system can feel angry or frustrated by decisions being made by other people.
If you:
– disagree with decisions being made about your future
– feel you are being treated unfairly, or
– someone has made a promise to you and not kept it
You can ask for an advocate to speak up on your behalf.
The issue could be around where you live, who cares for you, or what happens to you when you leave the care system. Whatever your concern, if you don’t have anyone you can trust to turn to for help, an advocate will be there to fight your corner.
Advocates also have an important role to play in supporting care leavers as they move into adulthood and prepare for transitions in life. It’s not easy to make big, life-changing decisions on your own. An advocate will listen to understand your wishes and support you to get to where you want to be.
How to access our Children and Young Person’s advocacy service
Family Welfare’s advocacy team are on your side. We believe every child and young person should understand their rights and be involved in decisions about where they live and who cares for them.
If you are a young person in social care or about to leave care and you recognise yourself in any of the situations mentioned above, you can self refer to our CYP advocacy service.
When and where we meet is entirely up to you – in school, online, at our offices or a place you feel comfortable. For more information about children’s advocacy, call us on 01942 867888 or email admin@familywelfare.co.uk
*Source: Wigan Council Sufficiency Strategy, Children’s Services, 2021-24