Children's participation and rights

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

The participation and rights team is a service for children and young people:

• aged 4 to 18 (24 if in care or a care leaver)
• who live in the East Riding of Yorkshire, or who are the responsibility of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and
• who are considered ‘in need’.

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.

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:

• aged 4 to 18 (24 if in care or a care leaver)
• who live in the East Riding of Yorkshire, or who are the responsibility of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and
• who are considered ‘in need’.

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

Tel: (01482) 396828 

Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

You can find further information about advocacy on the Rights4u website:

Rights4u - advocacy (external East Riding website)

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 mini children in care council (for 6-11 year olds)
• young people’s safeguarding group
• the altogether group for children of families who foster
• the groovy gang (for 4-8 year olds)

We also provide training for professionals and carers and 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) 396828

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) 396828

Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

You can also contact the customer relations team on

Tel: 0800 915550

Email:  social.services.complaints@eastriding.gov.uk.

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) 396828

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.

I am a foster parent; does the team do anything to support children of families who foster?

We run a support group for the children of families who foster, called TAG (The Altogether Group). This is a chance for them to meet other young people whose families foster too. They can have their say as well as having a lot of fun! Meetings are every two months.

If you are interested you can contact the participation and rights team on

Tel: (01482) 396828

Email:  rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

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) 396828

Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

I am a designated teacher, how can I contact the participation and rights team?

If you are a designated teacher, you can contact the participation and rights team on

Tel: (01482) 396828

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) 396828 

Email:   rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

How can I find out more about the participation and rights team?

You can visit the participation and rights teams website where information can be found about young people in care, young people leaving care, young people with disabilities, advocacy and staying safe.

Rights4u (external East Riding website) 

Who do I contact for further information?

Contact the participation and rights team on

Tel: (01482) 396828 

Email: rights4u@eastriding.gov.uk

You can find further information on the East Riding safeguading children board where there are links to other useful websites.

East Riding safeguarding children board (external East Riding website)