Who Cares? Scotland

Independent advocacy services are available to people of all ages. 

Who Cares? Scotland are commissioned to make sure that children and young people have a right to have their views and feelings heard and to be involved in decisions made about their lives.  

We support children and young people who are: 

• looked after away from home
• looked after at home
• in kinship or foster care
• involved in child protection procedures,
• young people, up to 19 years old, who have additional support needs
• young people, subject to intervention under the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
• care leavers up to 26 years old

Independent advocacy promotes positive outcomes at the time and, potentially, in the future.

It plays a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people have their views heard and acted upon.

Their experience and understanding increases and there can be gains in confidence and assertiveness so that, where possible, they are able to self-advocate when the need arises.

Types of advocacy

There are two main types of advocacy: individual and collective advocacy. 

Who Cares? Scotland offer both individual professional advocacy and collective advocacy through their work with the TNT (Today, not Tomorrow) and Crafty Foxes groups.

Professional advocacy should be always be considered when children and young people are affected by formal processes such as reviews, mental health act involvement, children’s hearings and child protection procedures.  

For more information

Please contact:

Who Cares? Scotland

Bellshill

01698 657877