Advocacy

Everyone has the right to have their voice heard and to be involved in decisions about their life. There are people who can help you share your views, make sure you're listened to, and support you if you have worries about the care and support you receive.

Hampshire County Council provides Advocacy Services for children in care. 

These Advocacy Services can help you make sure that other people know what your wishes and views are about your care; they can also help you make a complaint if you are unhappy about any of the services you have received. An Advocate will listen to what you want and make sure that other people do the same; they won't tell you what to think and will help you to understand what is being said.

An Advocate can:

• Help you decide what you want to say in any meetings you have about your care
• Go with you to any meetings you have about your care, or go to them on your behalf (making sure that others know what your views and wishes are, even if your there)
• Help you to understand decisions that have been made about your care
• Help you make a complaint if you are unhappy about anything
• Give you easy to understand information about your rights so you can make better decisions about what you want

You can find a referral form for Advocacy on the VoiceAbility website or you can e-mail them at helpline@voiceability.org. 

National Youth Advocacy Service offers advocacy for care leavers as well.  If you would like an independent advocate please call their national freephone helpline on 0808 808 1001 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm) or email help@nyas.net.