Advocacy is a unique service. It is described in the national Standards for the Provision of Children’s Advocacy Services (Department of Health 2002) thus:

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.

At YAP we work to these standards to ensure that our work/service:

o Is led by the views and wishes of children and young people, and is exclusively for them

o Champions the rights and needs of children and young people

o Promotes equalities issues

o Is well publicised, accessible and easy to use

o Respond quickly to give help and advice when requested

o adheres to a high level of confidentiality

o listens to the views and ideas of children and young people to improve the service

o is well managed and value for money

Click here to read the National Standards in full.