National Approach to Statutory Advocacy: November 2015 update:

This update is produced by the Task and Finish Group which has been established to take forward the National Approach to Statutory Advocacy for children and young people in Wales. This aims to ensure key stakeholders, partners and service users, specifically children and young people, are aware of and kept informed on progress and achievements.

The remit of the Task and Finish Group has been to;

• Look specifically at the provision of Independent Professional Advocacy as commissioned by local authorities for looked after children, children in need and other specified individuals;
• Explore the recommendation of the ‘active offer’ from ‘Missing Voices: Right to be Heard’ and
• Identify and develop the key components for a National Approach to Advocacy for delivery via lead authorities within each Social Services Regional Collaborative.

Development of the key components for the National Approach completed

Revised National Standards and Outcomes Framework which includes an approach to the ‘active offer’ of advocacy identified in ‘Missing Voices’. An interactive application (App) has also been explored which could assist carers and professionals to introduce and explain advocacy.
Mapping of the National Standards and Outcomes Framework to the Well-being Statement that underpins the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014
Commissioning framework ensuring compliance with the National Standards and Outcomes Framework.
Regional Service Specification.
Performance Management Reporting template delivering the evidence and statistics identified within the National Standards and Outcomes Framework for service quality monitoring purposes – able to be utilised at a local, regional and a national level.
Range and Level assessment mechanism which when applied to the eligible population locally/regionally gauges the advocacy service capacity required.

Business Case

These key components are incorporated into a Business Case which is being presented to the Executive Council of ADSS Cymru on the 20th November prior to going to the Minister. The business case outlines how the National Approach would be implemented across the six identified regions of North Wales, Mid & West Wales, Western Bay, Bro Taf, Cardiff & the Vale and Gwent and restates the requirement for local scrutiny arrangements through Corporate Parenting Panels and Scrutiny Committees.

Subject to the Minister’s response the next phase will include the ‘launch’ of the National Approach and the rolling out of the implementation plans for the six regions which will be completed by March 2017.

The establishing of reporting processes and the reviewing of the interface with the MEIC helpline will also be undertaken during the year.
At the end of the implementation year a review of the National Approach is scheduled and any adjustments to the model based on operational experience, performance data, and latest population figures will be identified.

Involvement of children and young people

To date, the involvement and engagement of children and young people has been taken forward through consultation with existing groups at a local level by members of the Task and Finish Group. Comments from young people are also included within the Business Case.

On the National Approach

‘All young people interviewed felt it is a good idea that advocacy services for children are provided equally and consistently across Wales, as this would be a fair approach’.
**********************
“Its good because all young people in care will get the same service – it’s not fair if young people get different access to services across Wales”.

On the Active Offer and the Interactive App

“Face to face meetings preferred because you get to know people and see if you trust them”.
***********************
‘ (the group) think that all children and young people are different and for some face to face as soon as possible after they become looked after or when they are placed on the CPR would be preferable whereas some young people would prefer an online interactive App’.
************************
‘One young person felt that a visit would at least give them the option to have advocacy explained to them properly. Another said that it would give them a chance to ask questions that the app might not be able to provide’.

Again, subject to the Ministers response, further local regional and national engagement is planned for the public consultation on the National Standards and Outcomes Framework. Your continued support with this will also play an important role in helping to ensure children and young people are made aware of developments and have the opportunity to participate.

More information – get in touch if you’d like to know more about the development of the National Approach to Statutory Advocacy

We would like you to use these updates to inform discussions with colleagues and people you work with and especially with the children and young people you support. If you would like more information about the development of the National Approach to Statutory Advocacy please contact:

George Jones George.Jones43@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Project Manager – Welsh Government Lead on Statutory Advocacy
National Approach Task & Finish Group