Children in care struggle to access advocacy support

Interviews with children in care carried out by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England found that 55 per cent were unaware of their entitlement to an advocate to support them during meetings.

The report – Helping children get the care experience – found inconsistencies among English councils in provision and funding of advocacy support, eligibility criteria used and the availability of advocates.

An independent advocate’s role is to ensure that children’s voices are listened to when decisions about their care are being made, and to broker additional help if required.

The right for vulnerable children to express their views and have these taken into account when adults are making decisions that affect them is enshrined in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

However, the research found that half of local authorities supported less than one in 14 children considered eligible for an advocate.

"Advocacy has the potential to make a difference both to individual children’s lives and to wider services for them," the report states.

"In service terms, it has the potential to better safeguard children and to prevent problems from escalating; thereby having benefits in the longer term – in human and in financial terms."

The commissioner’s research found that the budget local authorities allocated to advocacy support ranged from £2 to £668 per child.

The report also found there were low numbers of disabled children, those with communication needs and younger children using advocates. Only 60 per cent of local authorities said they provided advocacy to disabled children who were receiving services.

The report has called for a review of national standards and guidance for advocacy.

It also recommends that advocacy is included in Ofsted’s framework of inspection, and that agencies ensure that all children and young people in care are made aware of advocacy services.

Children’s commissioner for England Anne Longfield said looked-after children need to understand the decisions being made about them and be able to express their own views.

“If they can’t – perhaps because they can’t articulate their views or if they lack confidence – an advocate should be on hand to help,” she said.
 
“We have found that although authorities should be advertising advocacy to vulnerable children, as well as providing an advocate, too often this is not happening.

“Children often do not know or understand about their rights to an advocate. Sometimes there isn’t the budget to provide the service needed.

“Advocacy gives vulnerable children a voice. That is why there is a strong case for a review of advocacy standards and guidance and why my report recommends the government acknowledges the importance of advocacy particularly in the care system.”