Moray Rights, Advocacy and Mediation
We believe that children and young people have a right to have a say in the decisions affecting their lives but we also know that it can be hard for them to talk about their feelings in front of people that they don’t know.
However, it is essential that a child or young person’s views are taken into account when decisions are being made about their future.
Our service works with children and young people, supporting them to express how they feel about what is happening in their lives and enabling them to be involved in, and to make, informed choices. Many feel scared, powerless and resentful, so we help them talk about their fears and concerns. Sometimes it can be easier for a young person to express their feelings in creative ways, so we tailor individual plans of work to suit each child or young person. Our work is carried out at the child’s pace, preparing them to participate and offering honest support around the boundaries of the child protection system. We liaise with the relevant professionals, children and young people are happy to attend and talk at their meetings whilst others prefer our worker to take their views to the meeting. The main thing is that they are able to play a part in the decisions being made about their lives.
The service works with children and young people who are living away from home in foster or residential care in the Moray area; who are in the child protection system; or who have additional support needs.
Children and young people can self refer. Referrals are taken from anyone who is concerned about a child or young person.
