VoiceAbility is our commissioned provider for Advocacy.
The Independent Advocacy provided will fall into three categories: –
- advice and guidance on rights,
- support attending or having a voice in meetings or
- making a complaint and/or liaison between the Trust and the child by speaking on behalf of the child on a specific issue.
Child Protection – We provide advocacy for children over the age of 8 for Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC). Consent is required from the child and parents (if child is under 16). You must obtain/discuss with parents as soon as they are informed of the plan to progress to ICPC. In the Section 47 form there is a box to tick to prompt a conversation. If you tell the Safeguarding and Reviewing team that a referral is needed, Safeguarding Admin will make the referral as soon as they get the completed Section 47 form. Contact ChildProtectionCPCCs@bradford.gov.uk
Care Proceedings – All children in care and care leavers (up to 25) have the right to advocacy, consent must be obtained unless the child is unable to consent due to complex health needs at which point a referral will be made based on non-instructed advocacy).
Independent Mental Health – IMHA – Provides independent advocacy to people detained or under restriction under the Mental Health Act, to help individuals understand their legal rights, participate in decisions about their care, and be informed of treatment plans.
Children presenting Homeless – this is to support discussion about whether a child wants to be supported under Section 17 or Section 20.
NYAS is our commissioned provider for Independent Visitors
An Independent Visitor’s role is to visit and befriend a child in care who has little or no family time with their birth parents and would benefit from having an adult in their lives who can give them support, advice and take an interest in them.
Independent Visitors | What is an Independent Visitor? | Volunteer with NYAS follow the link or add the link into any platform so that a child, carer, professional can explore the role fully through NYAS website.
NYAS Portal this is the link to our referral platform where a referral can be made. Guidance is attached.