Changes to how advocacy is offered

There must be changes to the way that advocacy is offered:

Advocacy should be offered at the point of referral

At the point of referral to the Reporter, children should be immediately offered advocacy. This applies to allchildren, unless they already have an independent advocacy worker.

This offer must be fully explained to children in ways that they understand, so that they are aware of:

• what an advocacy worker is, and
• the role an advocacy worker can play in the Children's Hearings System.

A lifelong advocacy service should offer extended support

The Promise Scotland is working to scope the delivery of a lifelong advocacy service for care experienced children and adults.

This should extend advocacy support beyond the entry point of the Children's Hearings System, to:

• children working voluntarily alongside local authorities, and
• parents and carers.

The offer of advocacy should be repeated

The offer of advocacy should be repeated to children and their families at different stages of the Hearings process.