|
| Our Solutions | About Us | BBC News | Advocacy | Child Protection | Referrals | Inspection Reports | Contact Us |
Print-friendly version
Advocacy Advocacy, which is described in the Encarta Dictionary as ‘support for people who are thought likely to be disregarded or to have difficulty in gaining attention, so that their opinion is listened to’ is offered and available within Geilsland in a variety of formats. Some young people are very adept at expressing themselves and/or ensuring their opinions are taken into account in all aspects of their care. However, many are not, either due to their age, ability or confidence etc and advocacy is encouraged. This can take the form of parents, care staff, social workers, teachers, friends etc advocating on the young person’s behalf or merely offering moral support when it is required. However, on a more formal basis all Local Authorities have an allocated ‘Who Cares? Scotland’ worker who will make themselves known to all young people, from their authority, who become ‘looked after’ or accommodated:- Who Cares? Scotland is a voluntary organisation working with and for children & young people in care. They provide a range of services to children & young people with experience of being looked after in Scotland including: advocacy, advice, information and support. They work locally and nationally with most Scottish local authorities to: :: Give individual advocacy and support to young people :: Consult with & listen to young people’s views :: Campaign for change :: Help policy-makers to consider young people’s views :: Bring together young people with experience of care. Who Cares? Scotland is the consumer voice for children and young people who are looked after and accommodated in Scotland. The ethos of the organisation, maintained throughout its history, is that young people are central to all their work. Young people form half of the membership of the Board of Directors of ‘Who Cares? Scotland’, including the position of Chair and Vice-Chair. Who Cares? Scotland can comment on a range of issues which affect children and young people with experience of public care with specific examples being: • Advocacy, advice and support • Anti-social behaviour • Children’s hearings • Child protection • Children’s rights • Education & Attainment • Excluded young people • Mental health • Physical restraint • Relevant proposed or draft legislation from the Scottish Parliament • Relevant research • The Scottish Executive’s agenda on children and young people • Secure Care • Stigma associated with being in care • The transition of leaving care • Young people’s experience of Drugs and Alcohol • Young people and offending • Young people’s participation CrossReach Children's Services has a dedicated ‘Who Cares? Scotland’ worker who works across both residential school campuses. This allows him to visit the school regularly and to build up positive relationships with the young people and staff. The benefits to this are that due to him being well known the young people are likely to feel more comfortable about approaching him or using him to seek advice or advocacy. He facilitates a ‘Young Person’s Parliament’, involves young people in staff recruitment, helps the school to review critical incidents, helps advise on young people’s views in relation to policy formation or review and much more. Other advocacy services available to young people include: · The Scottish Child Law centre · Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People · Barnardo’s · Child Line . Local Authority Children’s Rights Workers |
|
| CrossReach Childrens Services - Show map - Copyright © CrossReach Childrens Services 2012. Web design by 7Soft.co.uk. |