Keith Towler’s review found that too often, looked-after children, care leavers and children in need were missing out on their entitlement to independent support and advocacy.
Missing Voices included evidence from more than 500 children and young people, all 22 councils in Wales as well as advocacy services and representatives from the Welsh government.
While all 22 councils offered an advocacy service, uptake was "much lower" than expected, taking into account the rising children in care population in recent years.
Children’s professionals working with vulnerable groups too often "don’t consider access as an automatic entitlement" and there is confusion among councils regarding the criteria for accessing services, according to the findings, while children in need, those with disabilities or young offenders are the most likely to miss out.
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