All children and young people who receive a service from children's social care services are able to make a comment, compliment, suggestion or complaint about the service that they receive.
Some young people need help to speak for themselves and to get other people to listen to what they say. This is particularly true when young people are defined as "service users" and are cared for by other people who are in a position of power over them. Helping young people to speak for themselves and ensuring that they are heard is known as advocacy. The person providing advocacy is called an advocate.
An advocate can be a friend, family member, school teacher etc. If you do not want any of these to be an advocate for you then you can approach the Complaints and Information Access Team who will contact an advocate on your behalf.
Your advocate will be available to support you throughout the whole complaints process. The advocate will ensure that your views are discussed and will support you at all times.
If you require any further information please contact the Complaints and Information Access Team.