YAP stands for the Youth Advocacy Project.

Advocacy is about speaking up for children and young people.

Advocacy is about empowering children and young people to make sure that their rights are respected and their views and wishes are heard at all times.

Advocacy is about representing the views, wishes and needs of children and young people to decision-makers and helping them to navigate the system.

An advocate is not part of social services. We work for you and no one else. We won’t judge what is good or bad for you like other people might – we will just stand up for what you want. (Think of us like a megaphone; we don’t change what you say we just make your voice louder)

At YAP, our job is to make sure children and young people understand what is going on when they are in care, or involved with services. We try to help them feel part of the choices that are made about them. We want to make sure you know your rights and all the choices available to you.

The Department of Health (part of the Government), believe that advocacy is really important. They put in writing 10 National Advocacy Standards which are there to make sure looked after children are protected from abuse and bad decisions made about their care.

We work with children and young people who:

• Are aged 5-21 and in care or a care leaver

• Have a disability and receiving shared care

• Are Young parents under 18

• Are Young unaccompanied asylum seekers

• Are going to a Family Group Conference or Child Protection Conference

We will keep everything you say private and confidential. If we are worried about your or someone else’s safety, we may need to pass information on to others. We will always discuss this with you first.

Click on this link to see how advocacy has helped other young people.