Children’s Advocacy
Services for young
people in Wigan
What is Children’s Advocacy Service?
Children’s Advocacy is the process by which the views, opinions, wishes and feelings of children and young people who feel that they are not being heard, or do not have a voice within the situation they find themselves, can be professionally represented and related to those they wish to hear such views.
FAQ
If there is anything else you would like to know about our services you can either fill in our enquiry form or call us on 01942 867 888.
The Advocate will listen to your views and opinions and ascertain your wishes and feelings, and help you speak for yourself if you wish to do so in difficult situations. They will also assist you to put your views to those you wish to be aware of them or do this on your behalf, and attend meetings with you or represent you at them. The Advocate will additionally help you understand what is being said to you, or to understand forms or letters you may receive. Working in partnership with you is key and this will ensure that your views are accurately heard and represented. Your views will be kept confidential at all times but there may be situations where other individuals or services may be informed to ensure your safety. The Advocate will also assist you to submit a complaint on your behalf about the services you receive should the need to do so arise.
Children who are looked after by the Local Authority (including Care Leavers up to the age of 25) may access the service. Additionally young people who are subject to Child Protection proceedings, are a Child in Need, or who are included in an Early Help process are also eligible. Finally young people who are accessing mental health services, or attempting to or have accessed such services may be referred. Additionally we undertake to assist young people who may be considered to have additional needs. The referral criteria is designed to be clearly understandable and must be met in all cases;
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- The young person must be between the ages of 4 and 17 (except Care Leavers up to age 25)
- Parental consent (or the consent of an adult holding parental responsibility) must be in place and the child consulted and agreeable to the referral prior to submitting the referral
- Anyone can refer to the service on the provision that all aspects of the criteria are met
- Self-referrals are encouraged and welcome
CASE STUDY
All names and key details have been changed, to protect the client’s right to confidentiality.
Photographs shown are also not representative of the actual person.
Case Study
Jamie Is a child looked after by the local authority who attends a local High School. He had requested to see the advocate as he felt that he was not being correctly informed regarding his sister’s adoption as his Mum’s recollection of events and that of Social Care differed significantly. The advocate met with him in school and discussed his views. Options were presented to him in respect of how his concerns could be appropriately heard and acted upon to provide him with the clarity he felt he needed to settle his anxieties around this issue. After a meaningful discussion he chose to take the matter forward by way of an ‘informal’ enquiry. An informal enquiry was devised by the advocate in conjunction with Local Authority Complaints Team manager. This is a process which falls short of a formal complaint but achieves the same purpose without the timescales and registration. This has proved a very effective means of resolving issues for young people who may be a little reluctant to utilise a formal pathway and prompts responses and outcomes in a very effective manner. The details were passed to the Team Manager who initiated the enquiry which very quickly prompted contact from an appropriately identified Social Care representative. The concerns raised were addressed and Jamie was provided with clarity of the facts at hand in a manner that was relevant to his age and awareness.
How our Young Persons Advocate helped
Jamie was spoken to by a Social Care Service Manager in the presence of the Advocate and Jamie felt massively reassured. The Service Manager agreed to meet with him again to discuss further issues.
General Enquiries
If you would like to speak to someone about a service, please contact our admin team on 01942 867888 or email admin@wiganfamilywelfare.co.uk
Referral Form
To make a referral simply click the button below. Please make sure you have read our GDPR policy before submitting the form.