Children’s Advocacy

Service

Our children’s advocacy service is there to ensure looked after children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent are supported in advocating their wishes and feelings in decisions which affect them, such as placement selection.

Anybody can make a referral for a child or young person to have an advocate, as long as they have the child’s or young person’s consent and the child or young person meet’s one or more of the following criteria:

  • be looked after by Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority
  • be attending a residential school and be classed as disabled and ‘looked after’
  • be receiving respite care and considered as ‘looked after’
  • be separated and seeking asylum
  • be in a secure local authority care setting
  • have previously been in care and are supported under the ‘Staying Put’ legislation, up to the age of 25
  • aged between 5-11 and considered as ‘looked after’ as defined within the Children Act 1989
  • be leaving care or be in receipt of specialist health care provision
  • has a history of running away or going missing.

Summary –
Our children’s advocacy service is there to ensure looked after children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent are supported in advocating their wishes and feelings in decisions which affect them.

Our other advocacy services

Independent Visitors

Independent Visitors (IVs) are volunteers who offer confidential support to a young person, separate from social services. We carefully match each young person with the right volunteer based on shared interests.

Find out more >>

Our children’s advocacy service is there to ensure looked after children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent are supported in advocating their wishes and feelings in decisions which affect them.

Find out more >>

Care homes or hospitals must request a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS) if they may be depriving someone of liberty. The RPR service offers independent representation for those under DoLS.

Find out more >>

BME Advocacy is available for anyone in Stoke-on-Trent, aged 18 years or over from a BME community with a disability and/or mental health need. Advocates will support people to articulate their concerns and navigate the NHS system.

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The role of the Parental Advocate is to empower and support parents to fully engage in the Children’s Social Care statutory processes.

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Living in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire and need help with an NHS complaint? This free, confidential service assists in raising concerns and improving NHS services through explanations, apologies, or care improvements.

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The Care Act 2014 mandates local authorities to offer independent advocacy for individuals struggling with care decisions, ensuring their involvement when no suitable support is available.

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An IMHA supports people with issues relating to their mental health care and treatment. They also help people understand their rights under the Mental Health Act (MHA).

Find out more >>

Asist provides IMCA services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, supporting individuals without capacity who lack suitable family or friends to consult on best interest decisions.

Find out more >>

GET IN TOUCH

We’re here to listen and support you. If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to learn more about our advocacy efforts, please reach out to us using the form below. Your voice matters, and we’re committed to making a difference together.

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