CYP(3)-AS-11

Consultation Response

Welsh Assembly Government Consultation on a New Service Model for Delivering Advocacy Services for Children and Young People July 2007

1    The NASUWT welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Welsh Assembly Government’s 'Consultation on a New Service Model for Delivering Advocacy Services for Children and Young People’.

2.   The NASUWT is the largest union representing teachers and headteachers in Wales and throughout the UK.

General Comments

3.  The NASUWT notes the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision that access to advocacy becomes a universal right for all children and young people and the importance attached to such a service to protect them from harm and poor practice.

4.  Whilst the NASUWT recognises and shares the rationale for such a vision, the Union would be concerned that any such service does not fall into disrepute because the providers of the service are viewed as "ambulance chasers” rather than professional and responsible advocates.

5. Consequently, the NASUWT maintains that advocacy services providers should be regulated in accordance with agreed professional standards and that advocates should be a recognised profession comprising suitably trained, qualified and experienced personnel.

6. Further, the NASUWT would expect to be consulted on the design and development of professional standards for advocates.

Specific Comments

Chapter Seven Consultation Questions

7.    Q26. Would it be advantageous to set up a Board, i.e. to monitor progress and advise Assembly Government Minister?

     The NASUWT believes that it is essential that such a Board is set up.

8. Q27. What do you feel would be the minimum representation on the C&YP Advocacy Advisor Board?

As the largest union representing teachers and headteachers in Wales, the NASUWT would expect to be granted a seat on such a Board.

Chapter Eight Consultation Questions

9.  Q28. Should advocacy services/providers be regulated?

The NASUWT maintains that it is essential for advocacy services/providers to be regulated and would expect to be granted an automatic seat on the Regulatory Body.

10. Q29.  Should advocates be a recognised profession?

The NASUWT believes that it is essential that advocates are a recognised profession comprising suitably trained, qualified and experienced personnel, who:

(i) understand the need to balance the rights and responsibilities of children and young people with the rights and responsibilities of those who work with children and young people;

(ii) acknowledge the need to advise children and young people of the responsibility that accompanies the right to advocacy.

11. The NASUWT expects the New Service Model for delivering advocacy        services to children to include a clear framework on how the service will operate in a school setting.  This framework must include a protocol that specifies that access to advocates will be available for complaints relating to the following areas only:

admissions;
exclusions;
statementing.

12. The NASUWT is of the firm view that any wider involvement of advocates at school level will make the day to day management of schools unworkable.

Chris Keates

General Secretary

For further information on the Union’s response contact:

Rex Phillips
NASUWT Wales Organiser
NASUWT
Greenwood Close
Cardiff Gate Business Park
Cardiff CF23 8RD

Tel:  02920 546080

rc-wales-cymru@mail.nasuwt.org.uk