Childrens Rights Service - advocacy for looked after children
Do you have questions but are not sure who to ask? Are you confused about something and don’t know what do to? Would like to complain about something but don’t know how?
As a looked after child, you can speak to an independent advocate confidentially. An independent advocate will help you to put your views across & support you to be involved in decisions being made about your life. You can speak to your advocate privately; they won’t do or say anything unless you ask them to. However, if you or someone else is in danger your advocate must tell someone.
An independent advocate won’t tell you what to do, but they will encourage you to speak out for yourself and help you understand your options. If you are not able to do so, your advocate will communicate for you in the way that you agreed. If you would like to speak to an Independent Advocate, please contact CGL (Change Grow Live) on 07809 587007 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm & Sat 10am-4pm).
Independent advocates have helped looked after children and young people in Derby resolve lots of different issues including:
- Contact with family
- Bullying within a placement
- Medical advice
- Peer pressure
- Racism
- Support at meetings
- Independent living problems
- Not having opinions taken seriously
- Privacy
- Looking at records
- Behaviour
- Money problems
- Education problems or concerns
- Careers support and advice
- Legal advice
- Drugs or alcohol advice
- Freedom of expression
- Being listened to
If you would like to discuss any issue, please contact CGL on:
- Telephone: 07809 587007
- Email: DCRS.ADVOCACY@CGL.ORG.UK