New arrangements for children and young people’s advocacy services

New arrangements for children and young people’s advocacy services

The council has recently re-tendered independent health and social care advocacy for children and young people and the independent visiting service for children in care contracts.

From 1^st August 2017:

• The Independent Visiting Service for Children in Care will be provided by SOVA. The purpose of this service is to provide independent volunteers to visit, befriend and advise a looked after child or young person, aged between 7-17 years, who would benefit from this.
• Barnardos will continue to provide independent health and social care advocacy for children and young people. This service will provide advocacy support in 3 distinct areas:
  • Children and young people in care should be empowered and supported to make complaints and feedback about the quality of their care and the support they receive
  • Children and young people subject to child protection, Children in Care and leaving care services and those in private fostering situations should be empowered to participate in decisions that affect their lives
  • Children and young people with disabilities and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) should be empowered to participate in decisions that affect their lives. This includes non-instructed advocacy for those lacking capacity.
  • Please contact Jim.Harris@gloucestershire.gov.uk  01452 328196 with any queries or for more information.