NO: Erica Amende, regional director, British Association for Adoption & Fostering
The child's own social worker is their advocate. But the social worker also acts as supervisor, legal parent and representative of the local authority. Occasionally, this conflicts with the child's wishes. An advocate who is independent of the local authority is vital where the child makes a formal complaint against their service provider. But a good advocate must also work alongside the child, speak on their behalf, address the people who can make changes happen and keep a child's personal information safe. That's the least we should expect.
NO: John Kemmis, chief executive, Voice for the Child in Care and joint chair, National Children's Advocacy Consortium
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