Children’s advocacy standards set to be revised under public consultation

Campaigners for improved advocacy services for children and young people are celebrating after securing a public consultation on a revised set of national standards following months of lobbying. Advocates4U, co-ordinated by children’s rights charity Article 39, said the announcement by children’s minister Vicky Ford that the national standards would be publicly scrutinised was a “fantastic development”. The group said it hoped the move would more clearly outline the responsibility of local authorities to ensure every child or young person who needs an advocate could access one. Read more.