1.4 Explain the importance of: • advocacy • facilitated advocacy for children and young people who require it • the personal assistant role

This guide will help you answer 1.4 Explain the importance of: • advocacy • facilitated advocacy for children and young people who require it • the personal assistant role.

Advocacy

Advocacy means speaking up for someone or acting on their behalf to help their views be heard. For children and young people this often means representing their feelings, wishes or interests in situations where they may struggle to do so themselves. Advocacy supports their rights under UK law, including the Children Act 1989 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Advocacy is important because many children and young people face barriers. They may be too young to understand complex decisions. They may feel anxious or afraid to speak out. Some may have disabilities, communication difficulties or limited understanding of legal or procedural matters. Advocacy bridges that gap.

Good advocacy ensures:

• The child’s voice is heard without being overshadowed by other adults
• Decisions reflect the wishes and needs of the young person
• Services remain accountable for meeting rights and commitments
• Children know somebody is standing with them in difficult situations

Advocacy protects those who are vulnerable. It reduces the risk of decisions being made solely through the views of professionals, parents or carers. It leads to more balanced outcomes that respect the individual identity of the child or young person.

An advocate can be anyone trained or skilled in representing children, such as a social worker, support worker or specialist advocate from a charity. The most important factor is that the advocate respects confidentiality, listens actively and communicates clearly on the child or young person’s terms.

Where formal advocacy is used, the advocate may:

• Attend meetings or case reviews with the child
• Help the young person write down their views for a court or panel
• Raise safeguarding concerns
• Support access to education or health services

Effective advocacy can make the difference between a young person’s needs being ignored and those needs being fully met.

Facilitated Advocacy for Children and Young People

Facilitated advocacy is a process where a trained worker makes it possible for a child or young person to express themselves clearly, even where direct speech is difficult. This does not mean speaking for them in the same way as full advocacy, but rather helping them find ways to communicate so their own voice comes through.

It is especially important for:

• Children with disabilities affecting speech or language
• Young people with special educational needs
• Those who have experienced trauma
• Individuals who find formal meetings intimidating

Facilitated advocacy takes different forms. Sometimes it uses communication aids such as picture cards or symbol boards. It may involve breaking down information into simpler language or using role-play to practise what to say in a meeting. The worker is there to guide, support and create the right environment for the young person to speak for themselves.

Importance of facilitated advocacy:

• It empowers the child or young person to take an active role in decisions about them
• It encourages confidence and self-esteem
• It minimises adult bias in interpreting the child’s views
• It helps professionals gain a clear and authentic understanding of what the young person wants or needs

Facilitated advocacy supports the principle of self-representation as far as possible. This approach values independence and helps prepare young people for adulthood, where they will often need to voice their own concerns without formal support.

Workers carrying out facilitated advocacy should be skilled in active listening, patience and adapting interaction styles. They must be able to recognise when the young person needs more support and when to step back so their words and ideas are their own. Respecting the pace and comfort level of the child is key.

The Personal Assistant Role

A personal assistant for a child or young person is someone who provides direct, often one-to-one, practical support both in daily life and in enabling independence. This role is common where a young person has a disability or long-term condition but can also be used for other needs.

The personal assistant works closely with the child or young person. They may be employed directly by the family or through a local authority, often funded by personal budgets or direct payments under care and support laws in England.

Importance of the personal assistant role:

• It provides consistent support from a known and trusted individual
• It allows the young person to participate more fully in education, leisure and community life
• It respects the child’s preferences and routines
• It builds skills and confidence by supporting independence

Tasks undertaken by a personal assistant may include:

• Assisting with mobility or personal care needs
• Helping with communication, such as reading correspondence or using assistive technology
• Supporting travel to school, college or appointments
• Helping with organisation and daily planning
• Encouraging participation in social or recreational activities

The relationship between a personal assistant and the young person is often close and collaborative. The assistant learns the child’s preferred ways of doing things and adapts support accordingly. Trust and respect are very important for this role to succeed.

A good personal assistant is not there to take over the young person’s life. They are there to enable choice, autonomy and participation. This approach reduces isolation and increases the young person’s control over their own routine.

How These Roles Work Together

Advocacy, facilitated advocacy and the personal assistant role all aim to give children and young people a stronger voice and greater autonomy. Each focuses on protecting rights and promoting participation.

In a complex case many children benefit from more than one type of support. For example:

• A young person with a speech impairment may work with a facilitated advocate to express views in a review meeting while having a personal assistant for day-to-day support
• A child in care may have a formal advocate for court proceedings and a personal assistant helping them attend community activities

All these roles need clear professional boundaries, good communication skills and respect for the child’s individuality. The worker must always act in the best interests of the young person and never allow their own opinions to override the child’s expressed wishes.

Confidentiality is critical in each role. The young person must feel safe sharing thoughts and feelings, knowing that private information will only be shared with those who have the right to receive it under laws such as the Data Protection Act 2018.

Collaboration with other professionals is often necessary but should always keep the child’s voice central. This might mean discussing support strategies with teachers, social workers or healthcare staff, but only with informed consent where appropriate.

Key Skills for Workers

For any of these roles, a worker needs to bring specific skills and attitudes. These include:

• Patience and the ability to work at the young person’s pace
• Clear and simple communication
• Active listening that values pauses and non-verbal cues
• Respect for diversity and cultural differences
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures
• Commitment to promoting independence and choice

Training in advocacy methods and communication aids can greatly improve effectiveness. Understanding legislation and children’s rights frameworks strengthens practice. Empathy and consistency are equally important, as young people often rely heavily on emotional trust in these roles.

Impact on Outcomes

When advocacy, facilitated advocacy or a personal assistant role is managed well outcomes improve considerably. Children and young people become more confident about expressing their views. They become more engaged in decision making. Their needs are more accurately recognised and met.

Good support increases emotional wellbeing and reduces feelings of isolation. It can improve education attendance, strengthen friendships and allow fuller participation in community life. It creates an environment in which young people are respected as active partners rather than passive recipients of decisions.

Supporting Independence

One of the strongest benefits of all three approaches is the encouragement of independence. Advocacy and facilitated advocacy teach skills in speaking up. Personal assistants give constant support while gradually helping the young person take control of routines and decisions.

Independence is not about doing everything alone. It is about having the ability to make real choices and act on them. These roles guide young people towards that goal by removing barriers and providing the help they need when they need it.

Final Thoughts

Advocacy, facilitated advocacy and the personal assistant role are all focused on giving children and young people a stronger presence in their own lives. They are about listening carefully, acting with respect and enabling each person to take part in discussions about their future.

Good practice depends on compassion, skill and a commitment to placing the young person’s voice at the centre of decision making. Whether through full advocacy, guidance in expressing views or consistent daily support, these roles help create a more fair and supportive environment for every child or young person.