Advocacy Referral

For professionals to refer young people to the advocacy service

Referrer checklist

Issue Based Advocacy

The Young Lives Foundation is commissioned by Kent and Medway Children’s Services to provide a statutory, issue-based advocacy service to children and young people in receipt of care services (excluding Early Help).

 The primary focus is on empowering children and young people in the care system to overcome barriers, navigate the system, understand their rights and entitlements and express their views, wishes and feelings, and work towards self-advocacy.

Issue Based Advocacy is not the same as visiting advocacy, befriending or mentoring. YLF advocates focus on specific issues the child/young person has and aims to resolve these in a timely fashion. Time scales are not set in stone as all children and young people are different and some issues are more easily resolved than others. However, we ask that referrers consider the following checklist points before making a referral:

  1. Has the young person asked for an advocate? (Advocates are led by the voice of the child)
  2. Is the child/young person fully aware of the role of the specialist (issue based) advocate?
  3. Does the child/young person have specific issues that they need support to resolve?
  4. Does the child/young person have the capacity to understand what advocacy means? (we can take referrals for younger children or children and young people with SEND but clear issues need to be present at point of referral).
  5. Please give as much detail as possible about the issues that the child/young person is experiencing. Please include details for the social worker, school and contact details for the child/young person if they are too young to have a phone.

Please do not proceed with a referral if you require:

  • Visiting Advocacy (Regular 4-6 week visits)
  • Independent Mental Health Advocate, (IMHA). Mental Health Advocates help individuals to understand their rights under the Mental Health Act)
  • Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA). An IMCA will ensure the Mental Capacity Act is being followed.
  • Best Interests Advocate. YLF Advocates are led by the child/young person. They do not advocate for best interests.
  • Mentoring or Befriending (YLF offer these services under ‘Mentoring’ or ‘Independent Visitor’)

Advocacy Referral for Professionals

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