Advocacy and independent visitors for children

Advocates and independent visitors can support you in different ways. An advocate can help you understand your rights, share your views and wishes, and make sure you are heard.

Advocacy: someone to speak on your behalf

What an advocate is

An advocate helps you share your views and make sure they are listened to.

They can:

• listen to what matters to you
• help you understand your rights
• help adults understand your views and feelings
• support you if you're worried about something or think something is unfair
• help you take part in decisions that affect you
• support you to make a complaint

An advocate will not tell you what to do or make decisions for you.

Who can get advocacy support

You can access children's advocacy support if you are:

• Part of a Child Protection Plan
• A homeless young people aged 16–17
• Young Carer
• Child or young person with disabilities (0–18 and in transition)
• Child or young people seeking asylum

Contact advocacy services

In Cheshire East, children's advocacy is provided by Coram Voice. You can contact them using the details below:

• Freephone: 0808 800 5792
  This number is free to call and will not appear on your phone bill.
• WhatsApp: 07758 670369
  If you are aged 16 or over, add us to your contacts and send us a message free with WiFi.
• Text: 07758 670369
  Just send a text to this number and ask for someone to call you back. Texts to this number are at your standard rate for sending texts.
• Email: help@coramvoice.org.uk
  You can email us and we will get back to you as soon as we can and always within 24 hours.

You can also ask your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), social worker or carer to contact Coram Voice on your behalf.

If you are over 18, or a care leaver and over 25, you may be able to access the adults advocacy service.

Independent visitors 

What is an independent visitor?

An independent visitor is an adult volunteer who spends time with you, has fun, and is there just for you. They are not a social worker or carer, they are a friendly and trusted person who visits you regularly.

What an independent visitor does

Independent visitors:

• visit you and spend time with you
• listen to you and care about what you think
• do fun things with you, like going to the park, watching a film, or trying a new hobby
• stay in your life for a long time, so you have someone to talk to
• help you feel supported and confident 

You will meet about once a month and can decide together what you want to do!

Why you might have an independent visitor

If you are in care, you might meet lots of different adults. An independent visitor is someone who stays the same and is not part of social services.

They are there to be your friend and support you as you grow up.  

How to request an independent visitor

You must be a child or young person in care to have an independent visitor. If you would like one, ask your social worker or carer.