Advocacy Court Work - Your Say Advocacy

More recently – in July 2020 – Case Law has also established the role of Legal Aid Agency in funding the Independent (Lay) Advocate to support parents to meet with and instruct their legal representatives.

We have worked for more than 20 years supporting parents with learning disabilities/difficulties or other vulnerabilities, to understand the concerns of other parties, to respond to and understand expectations for change, to assist in communication and ensuring information is accessible, support at Child Protection meetings and reviews, Core Groups as well as Pre-Proceedings and Family Law proceedings. We know that the earlier the intervention with parents the bigger the impact of the Advocacy can be – and have many examples of those families who have had (and continue to receive) support from ourselves who are still parenting their own children or are active in the lives of their own children.

However , we also know that at any stage in this process, Advocacy support can assist and improve communication, understanding, engagement and outcomes for all parties – even for those parents’ whose children do not remain in their care.

Advocacy is more than communication support – albeit this is a significant aspect of our work. Good Advocacy provides a safe and supportive relationship that listens, respects and assists parents to hear, reflect upon and understand their own situation. It is concerned with the welfare of the parent in their own right and as a parent and is of course independent from the other professionals involved in the parents/families life.

Good Advocacy is discrete and at times unseen – it is the relationship that understands the parent’s specific communication needs and possible emotional triggers. Very often in the Court setting it is quiet/whispered information sharing and reassurance, written support and collecting of the parent’s thoughts to share at the appropriate juncture.

Your Say undertake a short assessment of the parent upon receipt of the referral and use this to guide our support to the parent – we can also undertake more formal assessment which can inform the Court as to the measures that may be required within the Court Hearing to accommodate the parents communication needs.