56

Children’s right to independent advocacy must be strengthened.

Conclusion
Children’s right to independent advocacy must be strengthened. Although there is a statutory entitlement to advocacy services, many individuals are unaware of this or unable to secure advocacy in an appropriate timeframe. We support the recommendation of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care for the implementation of an opt-out legal right to advocacy to all children in care, to automatically connect children with an advocate as soon as they are eligible for one. (Recommendation, Paragraph 264)