Emma* was referred to the PAGE project for ‘Independent Advocacy Support’, by the allocated Social Worker from Sandwell Children’s Trust. They believed it would be beneficial for her as it would be someone that she could build a trusting relationship with and would support her with meetings and Court Hearing’s. Her child was subject to an interim care order and adoption was being considered due to concerns of neglect. However, the child’s father was contesting this, and wanted full-time custody but there was also a history of alleged domestic violence by the father. During the proceedings Emma* had a Cognitive Functioning Assessment. That Assessment confirmed that she has Cognitive Deficits in her verbal reasoning and language skills. She also has a diagnosis of Autism.
Emma* received regular Advocacy support; this took place via telephone calls, meetings virtual and face to face, and court hearings. The Advocate supported her to attend relevant meetings with children services and also solicitor meetings. The Advocate provided support in raising questions during meetings/court hearings with professionals, helping her to express her needs and wishes and to have her voice heard. She very often felt that people were making decisions about her life and she had no control over what was happening. She also received Advocacy support in understanding documents that were presented to her by Children’s Trust and Solicitors.
Emma* shared with us that PAGE had helped improve her confidence during meetings with professionals – she felt she could raise questions and express her wishes and feelings. She said that having an Independent Advocate supported her to understand documents presented to her by professionals, and she was able to have a better understanding on the language used by Children Services and professionals during meetings/court hearings. The advocate was able to reiterate that Emma* wished to have her child adopted and not to cared for by his father. The courts felt that neither parent would be able to ensure the child was not neglected and the child is going to be adopted rather than going into custody of the father.
“You gave me confidence to attend my meetings and in court. I wouldn’t have known everything what was going on if you hadn’t explained it to me. You read through my documents and helped me understand them and what was going to happen next. I also felt supported during the Court Hearings, having an Advocate present made me feel more confident”.
Emma*
