CYP(3)-AS-03

Phillip T Hodgson
Leader Directors for ADSS

Corporate Director Community Services
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Anvil Court
Church Street
Abertillery
NP13 1DB

Helen Mary Jones AM
Chair
Children & Young Persons Committee
c/o National Assembly for Wales
Pierhead Street
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA

Dear Helen,

Re: Written Evidence to inform the Inquiry into Advocacy Services

ADSS Cymru are pleased to be invited to provide written evidence to inform the outcome of the Children and Young People’s Committee 'Inquiry into Advocacy Services’

We will be attending the Committee to present oral evidence with the WLGA on January 31^st and hope that the evidence provided will be of assistance in informing your final report.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me

Kind Regards

Philip T Hodgson

Lead Director for ADSS

1. There seems to be widespread consensus that Advocacy services should be Independent. How do you think advocacy services should be commissioned to ensure a level of independence that gives children and young people confidence and builds trust in the system at the same time as providing services, which are flexible and responsive?

ADSS Cymru supports the vision to develop integrated advocacy service models and the Welsh Assembly Governments aim to make effective advocacy provision for all children and young people in Wales.  ADSS Cymru agrees that effective Advocacy services are paramount to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people ensuring entitlements are delivered and participation enhanced.

Advocacy services are currently commissioned by local Government (a requirement under section 26 of the Children Act 1989) and are a key part of the services delivered to children and young people.

It is the opinion of the sector and other key partners that Local Government is best placed to commission Advocacy services for extremely vulnerable children. Those services commissioned at a local level, are responsive to local needs, have been sourced through stringent commissioning and contacting processes as the most appropriate provision, for what are often complex needs and provide robust performance management and accountability frameworks.

Whilst we concur with some of the thought that has emerged around the need for more robust monitoring and an improved service model, to suggest that services commissioned by local government are not independent undermines both the role and professionalism of the sector.

It is important to acknowledge and recognise that over recent years there have been a number of successful multi-agency advocacy services commissioned via Local Authority / Partnership arrangements. ADSS Cymru understands that Local Authority / Partnership commissioned advocacy services are able to effectively and independently operate and multi agency commissioning has now got wide support and could be further developed should the partnerships be required to commission advocacy services at an appropriate future point.

ADSS Cymru recognises that Independent Advocacy service providers are an essential component of being able to provide an effective advocacy service.  Presently in Wales there are a number of independent providers operating with an experienced and skilled advocacy resource, and demonstrating an ability to share knowledge, learning, and specialist skills.

In the debate about what constitutes independence, ADSS Cymru agrees that regional commissioning where feasible should be undertaken.  We acknowledge the role the Children and Young People Partnerships may have to play in regional commissioning but would require clarity around the practicalities of regional commissioning especially taking into account that Children and Young People Partnerships are at various stages in development in their role and functioning and are currently very much focussed on the development of the Children’s Single Plan across Wales.

ADSS Cymru would welcome a realistic timetable for implementation of the service model and secure funding available to resource.

2. The Assembly Government consultation document suggests a New Service Model, which places responsibility for local and regional planning and commissioning of advocacy services with Children and Young People’s Partnerships in each local authority area. The document also proposes the establishment of a Children’s Advocacy Unit. The Unit will not have commissioning responsibilities or powers of inspection or enforcement. Rather it will be a national resource to support and oversee the New Service Model and ensure compliance with the National Minimum Standards for the provision of Children’s Advocacy Services.

Do you think the service model as outlined is adequate to meet its stated aim of ensuring more 'independent and accessible advocacy services in which Children and Young people can have confidence?’

ADSS Cymru supports a mixed economy approach with regional / local commissioning for universal type advocacy and national specialist for specific vulnerable groups.  Additionally, in line with keeping children safe then ADSS Cymru supports a strong safeguarding focus ensuring we retain specialist provision to recognise the historical foundation and initial thinking behind the establishment of advocacy provision in Wales. ADSS Cymru believes that regional / local partnership commissioning of advocacy services will enhance local accountable services. The Advocacy Unit would play a significant role in scrutiny, performance, consistency, quality assurance, and strategic developments.

What are your views on the Children’s Advocacy Unit as outlines in the consultation document? What role and function would you like to see the National Advocacy Unit taking?

ADSS Cymru supports the development of the Advocacy Unit.  A new advocacy development and performance unit would enhance independent scrutiny and provide a strategic framework for national / regional advocacy provision.  ADSS Cymru questions whether the Advocacy Unit would be positioned with a conflict of interest should the scrutiny / strategic function also be aligned with a commissioning responsibility.