Childrens’ Advocacy – Currently closed, please check back for updates

Speak Up Speak Out – Young peoples’ Advocacy 2020-2023

This Children In Need project ended June 2023. Advocacy For All are very proud of the work carried out by Erika, Sarah and Juan. Below is a selection of stories about young peoples’ advocacy and the importance it has for our clients, families and the community.
Advocacy For All’s media team helped to produce a series of podcasts where we talk to young people and their families around how this project has helped them.

For a video describing the project please click on the link below:

This project is supported by BBC Children In Need.

The Children In Need programme is now closed. Please check website for any updates on this and other great projects.
 

An Advocate is an independent adult who helps a child or a young person to have their opinions, views and feeling heard by adults that make decisions about them.

What does an advocate do?

An advocate:

  • is an independent adult who supports children and young people to have their voice heard or represent their views for them in meetings where decisions are made about them
  • helps children and young people to understand their rights
  • enables children and young people to make a complaint if they are not happy about something
  • ensures that a child or young person’s views and feelings are heard and that they are fully involved in decisions about their lives
  • helps children or young person to understand the process that is happening

Which children do we support?

We provide advocacy for looked after children, care leavers and children on a child protection plan for the London Borough of Bromley. Children need to be aged 4+ to receive advocacy in this borough. This is our Advocacy for Bromley project.

We provide non-statutory advocacy to children with learning disabilities or autism, aged 10-18 in the London Boroughs of Bexley and Bromley, supporting them to speak up about issues that are affecting them.

We partner with the MAPS project at Volunteer Centre Sutton to provide advocacy for looked after children, care leavers and children on a child protection plan for the London Borough of Sutton. Children need to be aged 8+ to receive advocacy in this borough. We do not take referrals for this project but you can refer directly to MAPS by contacting them here.

How does Advocacy Happen?

Advocacy meetings take place Monday to Friday within office hours. An advocate might meet a child or young person at school, if appropriate, or in an alternative location agreed by both.

An advocate will spend time talking, listening, and making sure that they have understood the feelings and wishes of the child or young person. They will support the child or young person to speak up or speak up on their behalf.

All advocates are DBS checked, are interviewed and receive training.

How to refer for Children’s Advocacy

Referrals for Advocacy for Bromley and for the non-statutory children's advocacy can be found by clicking here.