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Children's participation and rights

Information on what the team does, available information for young people, parents, carers and professionals, what an independent visitor is and how to find out more.

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What does the children's participation and rights team do?

We provide a range of children's rights, advocacy and participation activities for children from targeted groups such as children in care, children who have involvement with children's social care services, or children with a disability, including those who cannot communicate verbally.

We encourage children and young people to influence services and decisions that affect their lives.

The Pledge

Find out more about The Pledge

What is The Pledge?

The Pledge

The Pledge is a promise made by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and its partners to all children and young people in care, and to care leavers. Each year, The Pledge will be checked to make sure it is working and helping everyone involved, but most importantly, that it makes a real difference to children and young people.

The Pledge - Children and young people in care and care leavers

How can I get someone to speak up for me (an advocate)?

Advocacy is about helping you get your voice heard. It is about helping you get your say in tackling difficulties you are having, or in decisions being made that affect you. Advocates are on your side, and will speak up for you or support you to speak up for yourself.

Advocacy can help you with things like bullying, attending meetings, problems in your foster placement or children’s home, difficulties with your social worker or other professionals, worries about contact with your family and a whole range of other things.

When you contact the advocacy service you stay in control of what happens next – we can give you information and advice but what happens is up to you – we take our instructions from you!

Who can use the advocacy service?

The service can be used by children and young people who are:

  • 16- and 17-year-olds who are homeless – as outlined in the ‘Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds’ (DfE and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government joint statutory guidance)
  • Young carers – The Care Act 2014 specifies that young carers who may need support in adulthood must be provided with an independent advocate, if they are likely to continue to be young carers once they reach adulthood and don’t have anyone else independent and appropriate to assist them
  • Children and young people in receipt of social care who wish to make a complaint – as per the Adoption and Children Act 2002
  • Children and young people in care and those who go missing from care – as outlined in the Adoption and Children Act 2002. The Children Act 2004 requires an independent advocate to be offered child in care who go missing, once they have been found
  • Children with special educational needs and disabilities – The Children and Families Act 2014 and Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice requires local authorities to consider whether or not “some young people” with special educational needs and disabilities need support in expressing their views, and to provide advocacy where necessary.
  • Children who may continue to need care and support into adulthood – including those who are the subject of a (transition) needs assessment, who do not have anyone else independent and appropriate to assist them, as outlined in the Care Act 2014.
  • Children and young people who are detained under the Mental Health Act – are entitled to Independent Mental Health Advocates, in accordance with Mental Health Act 2007.
  • 16/17-year-olds who lack mental capacity – are entitled to an Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

If you would like an advocate, contact the participation and rights team:

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

How can I get involved and have my say on services that matter to me?

The team runs lots of groups you can get involved in:

  • the Children in Care Council
  • the Care Leaver Forum.

We also facilitate young people’s interview panels so children and young people can have their say about who is recruited to jobs in children’s services.

For further information, contact the participation and rights team on:

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

What can I do if I am unhappy with my social worker or other professionals involved in my care?

You can contact the participation and rights team on

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

You can also contact the customer relations team on Feedback - complaints and compliments.

What can I do if I am unhappy with decisions that are made about me?

You can contact the participation and rights team on:

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

Will the team tell anyone what I’ve talked to them about?

What you talk to the participation team about is private and we won’t talk to anyone else unless you want us to.

The only time we would break this promise is if you told us something that made us think that you or someone else is in danger or at risk. Then we would have to pass information on to keep you safe, but we would always try to talk to you about this first.

How can the participation and rights team help a young person?

Young people contact us for lots of different reasons, such as not feeling listened to, being bullied, wanting to make a complaint or wanting to get involved in making services better for children and young people.

Can I refer a young person to the participation and rights team?

Yes, you can. You can refer them by contacting the participation and rights team on

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

What is an independent visitor?

Independent visitors are adults who give up their spare time to visit and befriend children who are looked-after (children in care).

Independent visitors are completely separate to Children's Services - that's why they're called independent. They are chosen to be trustworthy and to have things in common with the young person.

The independent visitor doesn't replace the carer or social worker, but is an extra person who is there for the young person.

If you would like an independent visitor, contact the participation and rights team on:

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

Who do I contact for further information?

Contact the participation and rights team on:

Tel: (01482) 565560
Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

You can find further information on the East Riding Safeguarding Children Board where there are links to other useful websites.

East Riding Safeguarding Children Board (external council website)

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