Advocacy Support for Young Carers

Sandwell Advocacy works with the Young Carer and their families where it is identified that the child is experiencing issues associated with their caring responsibilities. Working to protect children and young people, ensuring their rights are respected, safeguarded and their views and wishes are heard at all times. Working within a person centred but family orientated approach, supporting young carers who find it difficult to say and get what they want and need by offering advocacy and supporting its development, whilst putting Young Carers at the heart of the decision making process.

Opening hours

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Accessibility details

Fully accessible. Building is all level - ground floor access.

Staff qualifications

Diploma in Independent Advocacy

Additional notes

REFERRALS: Sandwell Advocacy receives referrals from the following: • Individuals directly (self-referrals) • From their family or friends (third-party) • From other services / agencies Referrals may be taken over the telephone, email, face-to-face or through our website. ACCESS CRITERIA: To access advocacy support from the Young Carers Advocacy project individuals: • Must be aged between 5-18 • Must be a resident in Sandwell. • Must have a SPECIFIC and IDENTIFIED advocacy issue that is relating to taking on a supporting role helping another person. This can include supporting another child such as a sibling or a grandparent. The person they help does not have to live with them. • The advocacy relationship is directed by the young person, not a third party. There are many reasons why are child or young person takes on supporting role. This includes providing help to someone due to a learning or physical disability, drug or alcohol misuse, domestic abuse, poor mental health. It may be that the child provides hands on practical support or emotional support to another person. The advocacy support provides one-to-one person centred support. This is to ensure that the child is at the heart of decision that are being made and that their voice is heard. Independent Advocacy means we have no conflict of interest and work in the best interest of the child. Whilst meeting the above criteria, Sandwell Advocacy will also prioritise and target advocacy support to the following: • Young people who are not currently accessing support services where a clear identified need to do so exists, or where services they are accessing are not adequately meeting their needs. • Young people who are isolated, excluded and/or marginalised who feel that they have no other appropriate person to speak up for them (this includes family members, carers, guardians etc). Where a referral is received from an agency or third party, Sandwell Advocacy needs to be satisfied that the individual being referred has consented to them passing on their details to us. Consent MUST be obtained prior to making a referral. Advocacy should not substitute the work of more appropriate agencies where they exist but may support young people to access them where required and directed to do so

Categories

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING, EXPLOITATION , SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS & DISABILITIES, HOME & FAMILY, PERSONAL, SCHOOL LIFE/BEHAVIOUR AND PEER RELATIONSHIPS