Please call us to find out) A confidential, non- judgmental and trustworthy support. Advocacy helps children and young people claim their rights. (section 32). There are a number of key rules which should always be remembered when an advocacy worker is engaging with a child or young person: Any advocacy should be led by the child, allowing them to take part in decisions in the way that is right for them. A child is presumed to be of sufficient age and maturity at age 12. The worker develops a trusting relationship with the young person, and helps them to have their say and understand what they want to say. 01224 332314. Guidance on how to support children and young people to make informed decisions on matters which influence their lives. Our advocacy is not like a mentoring or befriending service. The Act aims to improve patients' experiences of using health services and to support people to become more involved in their health and healthcare. Advocacy support. I understand how you, as an advocate, will support me and I agree to you helping me in this way. Advocacy workers do not make choices for children – instead, they support children and young people to make their own choices. The individual members of the group may support each other over specific issues. If you think you would benefit from our help, or know someone who might, then contact us using the telephone number below. 6. Taking account of the child's maturity, the child must: Regard must be had to any view expressed by the child. The Children's Hearings System is Scotland's unique, integrated approach to child care and justice for children and young people under 16, and in some cases under 18, who are in need of care and protection or have committed offences. The child may: Before making any decision in relation to a looked after child, a local authority must ascertain (so far as reasonably practicable) and have regard to the views of the child concerned, taking account of their age and maturity. Legal capacity is mainly governed by the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991. Advocacy in Fife provides support to people aged 16 or over and living in Fife with: mental health issues, learning disability, personality disorder, physical impairment acquired brain injury, dementia, autism and chronic illness. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. We strive to provide advocacy that helps young people feel respected, included, listened to and understood. The group as a whole may campaign on an issue that affects them all. We work with children, families and professionals. Advocates might find the following practical advice helpful when supporting children: An example of a tool that can be used to help inform a child about advocacy, and demonstrate that the child has understood and agrees to advocacy, is available to download on this page as a pdf. Disabled young people may need support to raise issues about access to a wide range of services including leisure and social activities (such as respite care and short breaks) and when moving from primary to high school and making the transition to young adults' services. In turn, we do everything we can to make sure their voice is heard. Savings provision. Teachers, social workers, youth workers and professional advocates can also provide this support for children and young people. Advocacy helps to make that right a reality for those children and young people who, for whatever reason, would not otherwise be able or allowed to share their views about something. An education authority must have due regard to the views (if there is a wish to express them) of the child in decisions that significantly affect that child, taking account of the child's age and maturity. There may be issues that a child raises with their advocate which they say they do not wish to be shared more widely. It is important to recognise when such conflicts arise and for separate representation to be found for the child and the parent(s). If you are supporting a group of children involved in collective advocacy, the same rules generally apply as if you are supporting a single child. We use this information to make our website as easy for you to use as possible. Signature. Also, in the Edinburgh office we have Volunteer Advocacy Workers that work with our service. The aim of child advocacy is to encourage empowerment of children and uphold their human rights. Collective advocacy can occur when a group of people who are all facing a common problem come together to support each other. SIAA, the national membership body for independent advocacy organisations in Scotland. Ensure advocacy in the Children’s Hearings System is of consistent quality across Scotland. Genuinely listening to young people and including their voice in decision-making should help achieve this. 21. The Act requires that Health Boards encourage, monitor and learn from the feedback and complaints they receive. In keeping with the vision and philosophy of the Kilbrandon Report of 1964, a children's hearing is a lay tribunal of three panel members. Advocacy is an important part of Public Health work. 22. An advocate must never promote or support any other individual or organisation's needs or wishes (including their own) when they are advocating for a child. Arrangements for the provision of children’s advocacy services. Whether you work in civil or criminal law, are newly qualified or looking to make the move to solicitor advocate, this conference will have something for you. These rights are designed to complement children's rights and should be balanced in a way which delivers the best possible outcomes for all those involved. A decision which supports the realisation of a five-year-old child's rights may not have the same positive impact on a 15-year-old. We work one on one with a young person to help them have a say in what is happening to them. 23. Find Advocacy will most often be required where a child is engaging with a service, such as health, education, police, social work etc. The 'data subject' (i.e. Those rights are recognised internationally through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). (section 35). There are however some exceptions. When decisions are being made that will affect children, parents should seek the child's views on these changes and ensure that they are involved in decision making processes, effectively acting as their child's advocate. People do not have to have a medical diagnosis to access independent advocacy. If your needs don’t match the criteria here, you can find information on other independent advocacy providers at the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance website . People with physical disability with a shared goal. Some of these challenges can include finding a place to live, engaging with the police, child welfare, accessing healthcare, getting financial support, among others. If that trust does not exist, then it is unlikely that a child will be confident about sharing their views. A child is presumed to be of sufficient age and maturity at age 12 and any views expressed by the child should be given greater weight than the views of their parent. Similarly, when determining whether special measures are necessary, a court must take into account the views of the child in question. Advocacy is a way of helping children and young people understand their rights. You might have a right to independent advocacy or there may be particular circumstances which mean someone else is better placed to support you, help you to express your views on a matter. (sections 4 and 84), How can views be expressed? A child may speak directly to the Sheriff; give their views to a Curator ad litem or Reporting Officer; or be legally represented. At the SWRC we recognise that abuse and violence can affect every aspect of a woman’s life. 0131 510 9410 enquiry@siaa.org.uk . Finally, it is important to remember that, as children grow, their rights will be best met in different ways and decisions about how to support them will need to reflect this fact. Information given by a child or young person to an advocate would normally be considered confidential. In some instances, children are entitled to independent advocacy support. Explanatory Note Who Cares? Advocacy Service Aberdeen. These rights fall into four broad categories: All of the rights are underpinned by four general principles: Advocacy plays an important role in promoting all four of these principles and is central to the realisation of Article 12 for many children. 'My wish for a LAC [looked after child], is for them to feel at home in a Care Home. Every child in Scotland has certain rights. Access independent advocacy for children and young people. Ultimately, having considered the available information and views, the hearing must make its decision in the best interests of the child or young person. Children's 'evolving capacity' should always be kept in mind. Professional advocacy should be always be considered when children and young people are affected by formal processes such as reviews, mental health act involvement, children’s hearings and child protection procedures. 19. Any data collected is anonymised. Young people deserve to have someone on their side - someone to stand up for them. Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) is the national approach to improving the wellbeing of children and young people. An adoption order may not be made in respect of a child who is aged 12 or over unless the child consents. Giving children and young people a voice. 7. Finally, they have both the responsibility and the right to act as a legal representative for their child. Funding for alternative dispute resolution. Other Scottish Government initiatives underpinned by GIRFEC principles include the Children's Hearings System, the Early Years Collaborative, Early and Effective Intervention / Whole Systems, and the Family Nurse Partnership. They have the responsibility and the right to decide how their children should be brought up, and be in charge of actions and behaviour until the child is 16. Through policy and the delivery of services at both national and local level, the GIRFEC approach: The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 is rooted in the GIRFEC approach, and puts a number of key initiatives into statute, including the Named Person and the single Child's Plan. With thanks to Scottish Local Authorities, funding partners and donors who make our work possible. Training and qualification of child advocacy workers. Advocates may need specialist training to enable them to work with children with particular needs (for example, children with autism, a learning disability or a mental health need). I honestly would recommend it to anyone who lacks confidence to say their views in a children’s hearing or LAAC review. We're there for young people who need someone to support them, protect their rights and help them speak out. Indeed, it is a child's right to receive this support from their parents. Advocates do not make choices for children – instead, they support children and young people to make their own choices. If this does happen, advocates must consider whether the child is at risk. Scotland provides professional, independent advocacy services in most local authority areas in Scotland. The Quality Assurance approach incorporates three functions: Defining, Measuring and Improving Quality. Individuals have a right to give feedback, comments, concerns and complaints about the healthcare they have received. We strive to provide advocacy that helps young people feel respected, included, listened to and understood. The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition is committed to ensuring that care experienced children and young people in Scotland have a statutory right to independent advocacy services.. Monitor performance of advocacy provision at local level within the Children’s Hearings System. If they are not living with their children they have both the responsibility and the right to stay in touch with and be involved with the lives of their children unless otherwise directed by legal authorities in certain circumstances. Older people with a shared goal. A worker can help a young person speak to their Social Worker and Children’s Panel Member – or their carers and teachers. There are other ways you can get support as a carer. Payment of fees, expenses and allowances to persons providing children’s advocacy services. People affected by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 have a legal right to independent advocacy. It helps children and young to put their views across with what they think is best for them as a lot of children don’t as they don’t think they would be listened to or they don’t know how to say it. Group/collective advocacy. If a child has the necessary capacity, the duty is owed to the child. It aims to support children in all areas of their lives. We’re working to prevent child abuse in Scotland. Please note that this guidance is currently being refreshed so some of the information may not be up to date. Disabled children and young people may have a range of complex needs which include communication support and support for cognitive ability and capacity to understand. If they are, then steps should be taken to share their concerns in line with the relevant guidance. It is an international agreement consisting of 42 articles detailing the human rights of children. Or call the National Office on 0141 226 4441 for help. A 16th-century advocate. The need for high quality advocacy for children and young people is being increasingly recognised across Scotland. We work with people using health and social work services. At a national level, the Government's approach to supporting children and young people – Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) – emphasises the importance of children being placed at the centre of services and being listened to when decisions are being taken which affect them. More information on the Children's Hearings System: The need for high quality advocacy for children and young people is being increasingly recognised across Scotland. Scotland 2020Who Cares? How can views be expressed? However, they should only take on the role if they properly understand what advocacy does and does not involve. 12 – 15 years old who wish to challenge decisions being made by education authorities across Scotland. The child must always have a choice in the matter and must be supported to understand who is best placed to support them, whether that be a friend, parent, teacher, youth worker or professional advocate. out more about cookies, Independent advocacy: a guide for commissioners, National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, Information and advice about how and when to share such concerns, Scottish Children's Reporter Administration, Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC), that all the rights guaranteed by the UNCRC must be available to all children without discrimination of any kind (Article 2), that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (Article 3), that every child has the right to life, survival and development (Article 6), that the child's view must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her (Article 12), be aware of the rights of children and young people, act on the issues agreed with a child or young person and not be influenced by others, not let their personal opinions influence the child or young person's choices, help the child or young person to access the information they need, be clear that information about the child will not be shared without the agreement of the child or young person, except in very specific circumstances, understand the different laws that apply to what they do, not do anything the child or young person does not want them to do, except where the law requires it, be aware of and act within the law at all times, be aware that they might have to break the child or young person's confidentiality, if the law requires it, know how to respond where they are concerned about a risk to the child's wellbeing, promote the importance of children's voices being heard, highlight the role of advocates in making this a reality, the law requires information to be shared, there is a public duty to share information, the young person consents to the information being shared, the advocate must have a good understanding of the child's rights, the child should always be supported to understand their rights, the child should always be supported to understand the importance of their voice being heard, children should be given the choice to participate in decisions (this can mean children choosing not to be involved), children should be involved as early as possible when decisions are being taken, advocates must always be honest about what difference a child's view will make, and be clear about what is possible, children should be encouraged to ask questions and supported to get the information they need, children need to feel that they are being taken seriously and that their views are being listened to, children should be supported to understand how their views are being taken into account when decisions are being made, if a child needs extra help to engage in a matter, they should get that help, never assume that a child understands what is being said to them – always check, as part of their work, advocates should consider using activities which are fun and creative and which suit the child's ability, advocates must view the child as an individual, thinking about their age, ethnicity, ability, language, culture, religion, where they live and anything else that is important, a child of 12 has capacity to make a will, a child of 12 has capacity to consent to his or her own adoption, a child under 16 has capacity to consent to 'any surgical, medical or dental procedure or treatment where, in the opinion of a qualified medical practitioner attending him, he is capable of understanding the nature and possible consequences of the procedure or treatment'. 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