What does the Children's Rights Service do?

We provide advocacy for children and young people in care who are unhappy and might want to make a complaint

We run the Children in Care council

We run the Trafford Youth Cabinet

Advocacy

If you are unhappy with anything about being in care we can help you.

We will

Tell you what your rights are

Help you come to a decision about what you want to do

Help you speak up or speak on your behalf

Help you take part in meetings


We will

Meet with you in private

Be loyal to you and only you

Be independent from the people who care for you

Tell other people what you want to do


We will not

Judge you

Tell you what to do or not to do

Support anyone else but you


Making a complaint

If you have a problem and feel you are being treated unfairly or badly, or no one will listen to your point of view, you have the right to complain

What can you complain about?

Not wanting a move
Problems with your social worker
Bullying
A delay
Treatment by your carer(s)
Other young people's behaviour
Someone not listening
Inconsistency
A broken promise
Racism

Or any part of the care you are receiving

How do you complain?

Talk to someone you can trust. A friend, your social worker, teacher, parent, foster carer, key worker or your Children's Rights Worker.
If they can't solve your problem or your complaint is serious you will can call or write to or email the manager of the person you are unhappy about. Your Children's Rights worker will help you to do this if you want.

You should expect an answer within 10 working days

If you are not happy with the result you can ask for an independent person to look at your complaint. You should hear the result within 25 days

If you are still not happy an independent panel will hear your complaint


Why complain?

As well as sorting out your problem, your complaint will allow Trafford to make changes to make sure no other young person has the problems you had.

Useful Information

Childline: An independent organisation offering a free, confidential helpline. If you are worried or scared, or need someone to talk to telephone 0800 1111.

Legal Advice: If you do not already have a solicitor you could find one by looking in the yellow pages under 'solicitors'.

Children's Rights Service: Will help you with any complaint you have. Phone 0161 912 5094

You have the right to be kept safe in care. If you feel you have or are being mistreated in any way you should tell someone who you trust.

Children in Care Council

The Children in Care Council, called Youth Advocacy, is a group of children and young people from Trafford who are or who have been in care.

It tries to ensure that children and young people are involved in the improving the service the CYPS delivers to children and young people in care.

It meets during each school holiday for a day at Gorse Hill studios in Stretford.

Members also get involved in other activities (such as interviewing for new staff, being trained and training professionals and foster carers).

Trafford Youth Cabinet

Do you have any of these skills or qualities?

Dedicated
Kind
Opinionated
Team player
Nice
Smiley
Works hard and plays hard
Good speaker
Punctual
Committed
Prepared
Able to talk to others
Friendly
Socialising
Fair
Punctual
Fun
Outgoing
Interesting
Hardworking
Devoted to the cause
Be excellent to each other

If yes you should become a member of the Trafford Youth Cabinet

Trafford Youth Cabinet are representatives of the children and young people of Trafford.

It has members aged between 11 and 19.

Each member must live, work or study in Trafford.

They usually meet weekly in term time and at other times in school holidays.

They meet at Talkshop in Sale Waterside on Wednesday's at 4.30pm till 5.45 pm

Any member of the cabinet can represent the cabinet in any regional or national meeting or event.

Members are reimbursed for transport costs for attending meetings.

The youth cabinet tries to ensure equal opportunity for ALL children and young people.

The cabinet will does everything possible to ensure that any young person who wishes to be involved is able to do so. This may involve paying for child care costs, adaptations or special communication tools as required

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