Independent Advocacy
​We provide free, independent advocacy to help birth families feel supported and heard during the stressful and confusing child protection and care proceedings. Our focus is on you, helping you understand what’s happening and make your voice count.
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What We Can Do For You:​
Practical Support
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Attend meetings and court hearings with you so you don’t face them alone.
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Explain letters, reports and documents in everyday language.
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Help you communicate with professionals clearly and confidently.​
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Understanding the Process
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Answer your questions about what’s happening next.
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Guidance through legal or procedural terms that can feel overwhelming.​
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Support in Meetings & Communications
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Help you prepare for child protection conferences, reviews and hearings.
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Support at professional meetings, including attendance at meetings with solicitors and barristers.
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Help you prepare what you want to say including concerns you want to share.
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Making sure your voice is heard.
How We Help
Child Protection & Care Proceedings: Guidance and Support
Our team can provide:
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information and advice about child protection and care proceedings
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information about child care law and procedures
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information and advice about further support available, including access to legal advice
Guidance for Parents through Legal Processes and Hearings
​Our team can provide:
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support in accessing, reading, understanding and responding to professional documents, for example social work and other expert reports and assessments
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support during professional meetings, such as child protection conferences and child in care reviews
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support in keeping a diary of meetings, phone calls, conversations and information about child contact visits
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support in communicating with professionals, particularly when parents face communication barriers due to learning disabilities and/or difficulties, fear and anxiety, lack of trust and/or lack of means to communicate (such as lack of access to telephone or internet)
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help in accessing other support available
Support with Professional Communication
​Our team can provide:
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support in contacting and working with solicitors, helping parents to understand what their lawyer is advising
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care / adoption hearing preparation
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help you prepare what you want to say including concerns you want to share.
Support in Meetings
Our team can support you:
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attending child protection and pre proceedings meetings
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during and after court hearings (face to face and online)
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at professional meetings, including attendance at meetings with solicitors and barristers.