About Advocacy

Advocacy

An advocate is someone who can listen and speak up for you and helps your voice to be heard in decisions made about you.
They offer independent support and ensure that children looked after, children in need and care leavers receive the help and support they are entitled to.

What is a child advocate?

A child advocate is someone who will come and meet you and find out what your wishes and feelings are. They will help you to start, change or stop something in your life. They can go with you to meetings, if you want them to, and help you to tell people what you want, or speak for you if you don’t want to.

An advocate is like a helper who makes sure that someone’s thoughts and feelings are heard. Imagine you want to tell someone (like your social Worker) something important, but maybe you can’t say it yourself.

The advocate can you help you with that!

Sometimes, you might know exactly what they want to say or do. In this case, you can tell the advocate what you need help with. It’s like giving instructions for a game.

Other times, you might be too shy or unable to say what you want. In this case, the advocate still helps by figuring out the best way to support you, even if you can’t say it yourself.

So, the advocate’s job is to make sure you get to share what they want and that your rights are protected!

Who is Slough Children First’s advocacy service?

Slough Children First works with Coram Voice. Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation who champion the rights of children.

If I decide I want an advocate, what do I do next?

You can talk to your foster carer, social worker, young person’s advisor or independent reviewing officer, who will arrange an advocate for you.

OR

You can use Coram’s Advocacy Helpline:

1. Freephone: Call 0808 800 5792. This number is free to call and does not appear on telephone bills.
2. WhatsApp: If you’re 16 or over, add +44 (0)7758 670369 to your contacts and send a message.
3. Text: Text 07758 670369 to request a call back. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Further information and resources

Please visit Meet AdvoCat, your advocacy superhero! – Coram Voice for more information and resources on Coram Voice’s advocacy service.

You can always say if you want to stop working with them. It’s all about helping you feel supported!