Pupil Advocacy

The Pupil Advocacy Service is for Children and Young People with any disability and/or additional need aged between 5 -19 years.

Advocacy is carried out with children on a 1:1 basis and usually takes place in primary, secondary or special schools on the Wirral. Although meetings can also be at home or at a place more appropriate to the young person.

The Advocate can provide representation, support and/or information to children who are experiencing difficulties in school or at meetings such as annual reviews or transition meetings.  This is in addition to the support provided by parents, carers and school staff. Advocacy is also provided to children and young people with disabilities who have issues that are not supported by any other means.

In addition to advocacy, there are many other aspects of the role, including: -
Training for Children and Young People in: -

1. Effective communication skills, allowing them to speak for them themselves in an appropriate manner.
2. Advocacy skills, enabling them to offer peer support to others less able, and advocate on their behalf. We believe this could help support the training of school councils.

Training, Support and Guidance for all school staff: -

1. Encouraging all school staff to promote inclusion both within schools and with external service providers.
2. Working with schools to increase awareness and benefits of advocacy and how it can improve inclusion for all

Provide links to group activities and organisations such as the ‘We R Able 2’ group that Wired facilitate. The group encourages children and young people with disabilities to get involved with forums where their views can influence service provision that affects them.

Referrals

If you would like to refer a child or young person into the service please complete a Childrens' Services Referral form, by clicking on the link, saving it to your computer, and completing it. Then either post or email it back to us.

If you would like any more information about this service please call 0151 670 1500 or contact pupils.advocate@wired.me.uk