Accessibility & Languages
What is an Advocacy Worker?
An advocacy worker listens and helps share what an individual feels and what they want to happen. My job is to ensure that their rights are respected, and that they understand what is happening.
I can stand by the side of an advocacy partner and help them to share what they think with the people at the Children’s Hearing. This includes the panel members, social workers, legal representatives, family members, etc. I can make sure everyone listens to what they want to happen. I can also help them get legal advice, should they wish for this.
What I Do
I am independent. That means that I only work for the individual and do not work for Social Work, the Children’s Reporter, the school, or anyone else in their life. Independent advocacy is important as Children’s Hearings can be complex and confusing, and saying what you want can be stressful, especially if ongoing support is needed. Independent advocacy ensures that children and young people are involved in the decisions that affect their lives. When providing independent advocacy, I represent the individual’s wishes without judgment or giving a personal opinion. The child or young person is ultimately my boss.
Not only can I, as an advocacy worker, provide views for an advocacy partner, it is important to emphasise that I can also provide information, to help them understand and explore choices, help attend meetings, and ensure the correct procedures are followed. Unfortunately, the child or young person might not get the outcome they want, but an advocacy worker can make sure their voice is heard and will endeavour to do this throughout the advocacy partnership.
My Work
I work predominantly in the Edinburgh locality. However, I have also ventured to work within the locality of South Lanarkshire, supporting children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 years, who are subject to Children’s Hearings’ procedures.
The job of an independent advocate is rewarding as you are ultimately the child or young person’s megaphone, detailing the things which matter to them and them only. It can be difficult for an advocacy partner to speak about their feelings or circumstances during a Children’s Hearing, whether becoming too overwhelmed, nervous, afraid of what others may think or anxiety taking over. However, the child or young person is always aware that their independent advocate is on their side and will make it their duty to ensure their voice is heard.