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282 <h2>
282 Advocacy and Independent Visitors
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287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 RELATED GUIDANCE
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/441643/Children_Ac
t_Guidance_2015.pdf#page=106" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
289 The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case
Review
289 </a>
289 </p>
290 <p>
290 <a
href="http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/tcs/advocacy_guide_-_final_lo_res.pdf
#page=7">
290 Advocacy services for children and young people – A guide for commissioners (The Children's
Society)
290 </a>
290 </p>
291 <h3>
291 AMENDMENT
291 </h3>
292 <p>
292 In April 2018, this chapter was updated to add a link to the Children's Society 'Advocacy services
for children and young people – a guide for commissioners'. This guide outlines the legislative
requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and
looked after children.
292 </p>
293 </div>
294 <div id="sections">
296 <h3 id="sections_list">
296 Contents
296 </h3>
297 <ol>
298 <li class="sub_list">
298 <a href="#advocates">
298 Advocates
298 </a>
299 <ol>
300 <li class="sub_list">
300 <a href="#duties">
300 Duties of an Advocate
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 </ol>
302 </li>
303 <li class="sub_list">
303 <a href="#ind_vis">
303 Independent Visitors
303 </a>
304 <ol>
305 <li class="sub_list">
305 <a href="#when_appt">
305 When to Appoint
305 </a>
305 </li>
306 <li class="sub_list">
306 <a href="#dut_vis">
306 Duties of Independent Visitor
306 </a>
306 </li>
307 <li class="sub_list">
307 <a href="#rev_appt">
307 Review of Appointment
307 </a>
307 </li>
308 </ol>
309 </li>
310 </ol>
311 <h3 id="advocates">
311 1. Advocates
311 </h3>
312 <p>
312 The rights of looked after children to have a say in decisions about their lives is enshrined in
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and in the Children Act 1989. Before
making any decision with respect to a child who the local authority is looking after or proposing
to look after, the authority must ascertain the wishes and feelings of the child. Where children
have difficulty in expressing their wishes or feelings about any decisions made about them,
consideration must be given to securing the support of an advocate. See also
312 <a
href="http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/tcs/advocacy_guide_-_final_lo_res.pdf
#page=7">
312 Advocacy services for children and young people – A guide for commissioners (The Children's
Society)
312 </a>
312 .
312 </p>
313 <p>
313 An appointment of an Advocate for a Looked After child is necessary where a child wishes to be
represented at a meeting (for example a Looked After Review) or assisted in making a complaint or
bringing a matter to the attention of the care provider, the local authority or the Regulatory
Authority.
313 </p>
314 <p>
314 Information must be provided to all Looked After Children about how they can gain access to a
suitably skilled Independent Advocate.
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 This information should be included in the Children's Guide or provided to them at any time by
their social worker or Independent Reviewing Officer especially where their wishes and feelings
may not be in accordance with plans being made for them. Information should be in a range of
accessible formats.
315 </p>
316 <p>
316 Assistance must also be given to enable an Advocate to be appointed for the child for example by
approaching the independent organisation on behalf of the child. Particular consideration needs to
be given to the needs of disabled children, very young children, children placed out of the local
authority area and those with complex communication needs who need the support of an advocate.
316 </p>
317 <h4 id="duties">
317 1.1 Duties of an Advocate
317 </h4>
318 <p>
318 An advocate's key objective is to promote children and young people's central involvement in
decisions affecting their lives. The nature of support advocacy provides varies considerably as it
is dependent upon each local authority's commissioning arrangements but every service follows core
principles:
318 </p>
319 <ul>
320 <li>
320 The advocate should not be directive or judgmental but help the young person to express their
views;
320 </li>
321 <li>
321 Young people should be offered full information in expressing their views;
321 </li>
322 <li>
322 Young people should decide upon the best course of action;
322 </li>
323 <li>
323 The advocate should always remain fully supportive of the young person.
323 </li>
324 </ul>
325 <p>
325 The Advocacy Service is a commissioned service – details of Bexley's current provider can be found
by contacting the Service Manager of the Independent Reviewing and Conferencing Team.
325 </p>
326 <h3 id="ind_vis">
326 2. Independent Visitors
326 </h3>
327 <h4 id="when_appt">
327 2.1 When to Appoint
328 </h4>
329 <p>
329 An appointment of an Independent Visitor for a Looked After Child must be made:
329 </p>
330 <ul>
331 <li>
331 Where it appears to be in the best interests of the child to make such an appointment.
331 </li>
332 </ul>
333 <p>
333 A decision to appoint an Independent Visitor will usually be made at a child's Looked After Review
except where the child is placed in secure accommodation, in which case arrangements must be made
by the child's social worker for the appointment to take place as soon as practicable after the
placement.
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 A local authority should assess whether it would be appropriate to appoint an independent visitor
for the child they are looking after if either of the following is satisfied:
334 </p>
335 <ul>
336 <li>
336 It appears that communication between the child and parent has been infrequent;
336 </li>
337 <li>
337 the child has not been visited (or has not lived with) a parent or any person who is not the
child's parent but who has parental responsibility for the child, during the preceding 12
months.
337 </li>
338 </ul>
339 <p>
339 The local authority should consider the following factors when deciding if it is the child's
interests to consider appointing an independent visitor:
339 </p>
340 <ul>
341 <li>
341 Whether the child is placed at a distance from home;
341 </li>
342 <li>
342 Whether the child is unable to go out independently or experiences difficulties in communication
and building positive relationships;
342 </li>
343 <li>
343 Whether the child is likely to engage in behaviour which puts them at risk as a result of peer
pressure or forming inappropriate relationships with older people;
343 </li>
344 <li>
344 Whether a child placed in a residential setting would benefit from a more individualised
setting; and
344 </li>
345 <li>
345 Whether it would make a contribution to promoting the child's health and education.
345 </li>
346 </ul>
347 <p>
347 Where an appointment is considered necessary, the child's social worker will identify a suitable
person to be appointed. The Independent Visitor may be a person already known to the child and
independent of the local authority who may be suitable.
347 </p>
348 <p>
348 Before the appointment is made, the proposed Independent Visitor must have been checked with the
Disclosure and Barring Service, local Children's Services and Probation records and have the
agreement of the social worker's manager. The appointment must be confirmed in writing and the
visitor must provide the names of two personal referees.
348 </p>
349 <p>
349 The child must be consulted about the appointment and if he or she objects, the appointment should
not be made.
349 </p>
350 <h4 id="dut_vis">
350 2.2 Duties of Independent Visitor
351 </h4>
352 <p>
352 The Independent Visitor will have a duty to make regular visits to the child and maintain other
contact, by telephone and letter as appropriate.
352 </p>
353 <p>
353 The main purpose of the visits and contacts will be to:
353 </p>
354 <ul>
355 <li>
355 Befriend the child;
355 </li>
356 <li>
356 Give advice and assistance as appropriate with the aim of promoting the child's development and
social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs;
356 </li>
357 <li>
357 Encourage the child to exercise their rights and participate in decisions which will affect
them;
357 </li>
358 <li>
358 Support the care plan for the child;
358 </li>
359 <li>
359 Complement the activities of the carers.
359 </li>
360 </ul>
361 <p>
361 On appointing an independent visitor the local authority will decide how much information to give
him or her about the child's current situation and history. The child should be involved in
deciding what information is made available to the independent visitor. Independent visitors have
no right to inspect a child's file. No information should be withheld if it places the child or
visitor at risk.
361 </p>
362 <p>
362 Local authorities should arrange for the preparation of carers and provide them with support and
explanation about the role of independent visitors.
362 </p>
363 <h5>
363 Expenses
363 </h5>
364 <p>
364 The independent visitor is entitled to recover from the local authority expenses which is intended
to cover travel and “out of pocket” expenses. The need for an independent visitor to continue
their relationship with a young person on an informal basis once the cease to be looked after
should be considered. The local authority should consider if it is appropriate to meet the cost of
expenses until the after care responsibilities expire.
364 </p>
365 <p>
365 The Independent Visitor should also encourage the child to participate in decision-making.
365 </p>
366 <p>
366 The views of the Independent Visitor should be sought before each Looked After Review to which he
or she should be invited if the child requests it.
366 </p>
367 <h4 id="rev_appt">
367 2.3 Review of Appointment
367 </h4>
368 <p>
368 The need to continue the appointment should be considered at the child's Looked After Reviews, and
the child's wishes and feelings will be the main consideration in deciding the need for the
continued appointment.
368 </p>
369 <p>
369 The Independent Visitor's Service is a commissioned service – details of Bexley's current provider
can be found by contacting the Service Manager of the Independent Reviewing and Conferencing Team.
369 </p>
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