Hampshire Volunteer Advocacy Service

The pool of around 20 volunteers was set up and trained in December 2008 and are supported by the Participation budget through Morag Currie, and managed by Liz Holton, Family Group Conference (FGC) Manager. Advocates are currently available to support Children at Statutory Children in Care reviews, FGCs and in the complaints process. The advocacy role differs from that of independent visitors and mentors who have longer-term involvement with a child/young person.

Advocates describe themselves as:

• Independent volunteers
• Skilled – 3 days training and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checked
• Diverse backgrounds and experience
• Encouraged by Chief Executives, and Hampshire County Council managers in other departments in support of Corporate Parenting
• Only interest is in the child by acting as the child’s mouth piece
• No axe to grind/no preconceived ideas
• Here to support social workers, FGC coordinators in enabling children to participate
• Good at getting the child’s views over in a brief short-term involvement
• Help Independent Review Officers (IROs) to exercise their responsibility in obtaining the views of the child
• Able to ensure formal meetings make good use of time by thorough preparation with the child beforehand
• Instil confidence in young person to put their views across

Please contact Liz Holton for more information and an Advocate request form - for practitioners  29kb

01962 876355 or 01962 876356