Independent advocates make sure you are treated fairly and work with you to represent your views to decision makers.
They will help you in meetings, make sure you understand your rights, and that you have all the information you need before you make a decision.
They will not tell you what decision to make, but they'll help you to think about what might happen next, depending on what you choose.
Advocacy is about helping you to speak out about what’s important to you. You have the right to have your say and be listened to when decisions are being made about you.
How an advocate can help
You can contact an advocate for lots of different reasons. For example, about:
- seeing your family
- where you live
- feeling safe
- education
An advocate will be able to:
- give you information so you understand your rights
- speak to those who are making decisions about you (like social workers), to help make sure that you're involved in any plans being made about you
- make sure you understand what people are saying
- help you to challenge a decision or make a complaint
Advocates are independent and confidential
Advocates are independent and here just for you. They don't work for your social worker, school or the place where you live.
They will not tell other people anything you have said without your permission, unless we are worried about your safety or the safety of another person.
They will visit you wherever you feel most comfortable and at a time which suits you, like after school or at the weekend.
The service is available to any vulnerable child or young person. There's no waiting list, so we'll ask an advocate to get in touch with you and come and visit.
Asking for help from an independent advocate
You can contact us yourself or ask an adult to contact us for you.
An adult can't ask for an advocate to help you without you agreeing to this. You have a right to say no if you don't want the help.
Independent advocates for children and young people with SEND
All young people with SEND can have an independent advocate. We can support young people with SEND who would find it difficult to tell an advocate their views. This is called non-instructed advocacy and the independent advocate would look at the rights of a young person and support, promote and challenge when decisions are being made.
We may discuss if we are the right service and signpost to other services if independent advocacy isn’t appropriate.
For more information about independent advocates, please email childrens.rights@derbyshire.gov.uk