Advocacy is about speaking up for children and young people, making sure that their rights are respected and their views are heard in decisions which affect them. Advocacy is also about supporting children and young people to speak up for themselves, informed by the international framework provided by the UNCRC.
Children in Wales has been working to promote the provision of high quality advocacy services for children and young people since the Waterhouse Report, Lost in Care, was published in 2000. The report recommended the establishment of independent advocacy services and the establishment of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. Children in Wales was part of this, together with the consortium which established the MEIC Helpline in 2010.
Children in Wales is working with our member organisations to help ensure that independent advocacy services are in place which help protect children from abuse and harm, including those most vulnerable.