‘Being a Voice’ is a highly interactive three-day course that equips you to advocate with children and young people in need and in the public care system and to promote their rights, participation and empowerment.

You will learn the relevant legislation and guidance to champion young people’s rights and enable them to make informed choices about their situation. You will consider the values that underpin advocacy and rights-based work and really consider how it looks in practice to leave children fully empowered, listened to and supported to gain advocacy and negotiation skills of their own.

“Can I attend another? I loved it” Advocate

Who the course is for

Anyone wanting to practice as an advocate with children and young people in need or in public care. You should have a good grounding in working with children and young people as this is an intermediate programme focussing on advocacy skills and
 knowledge.

This course can count towards the learning and credits for the Certificate in Independent Advocacy, a national qualification.

“Thanks again for an absolutely amazing training experience. I was so inspired by how it was conducted and all that we went away with” Advocate

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• List key models of advocacy and rights based work with children and young people and the national advocacy standards
• Summarise young people’s legal status and the types of setting where they may live
• Summarise the main rights children have under the Children Act, Leaving Care Act and Human Rights Act
• Interpret safeguarding issues and explain confidentiality within the advocacy role
• Assess the advocacy issues in a case and implement an effective advocacy strategy
• Demonstrate child-centred practice that empathises with young people’s experience
• Use reflective practice and supervision to achieve professional accountability, support and development

Course information

This is a 3 day course including a comprehensive Advocacy Handbook and a free copies of Sorted and Supported, our guide to care leavers' rights and Your Voice, Your Choice, a young person’s guide to the National Advocacy Standards.

Also recommended

Introduction to Advocacy (1 day) for those less experienced or who use advocacy skills as part of a wider role. Advocacy in Secure Settings for those working in the secure estate. Care Uncovered.

 Publications

Shout to Be Heard is a powerful collection of stories from young people about getting heard, using advocates and making complaints.