Advocacy

Advocacy is available for all children and young people who are involved with the Children’s Hearings System in Scotland. To find out more about this offer and find a local service to you, click here.

Advocacy is an equal partnership between young people and their advocacy worker. The worker develops a trusting relationship with the young person, and helps them to have their say and understand what they want to say. Advocacy  can help a young person speak to important decision-makers, such as their social worker or children’s panel member. Advocacy is a way of helping children and young people understand their rights.

Who Cares? Scotland also provides a wider independent advocacy service in most local authority areas in Scotland for Care Experienced children and young people. So if you are a child or young person who is not involved with the Children’s Hearings System, but would still like access to independent advocacy, visit the Who Cares? Scotland website for more information .

Children’s Rights OfficerS

Every council (local authority) in Scotland has a Children’s Rights Officer (sometimes called a Children’s Rights and Information Officer). They can give children and young people information and advice and help children and young people to represent their views and have their say at meetings (including Children’s Hearings). Contact your council to find out more about your Children’s Rights Officer.