Children's hearings training resource manual: volume 1

7 Advocacy for Children (s 122)

This provision of advocacy for children will not come into force until 2014. When it does come into force, the chairing member will have a duty to inform the child of availability of children's advocacy services. The chairing member need not inform the child of the availability of an advocacy service, if it is not considered appropriate having taken account of the age and maturity of the child. Advocacy services include the provision of support and representation for the purposes of assisting a child in relation to the child's involvement in a children's hearing. The advocacy provision is under development and should be available from 2014 and will be an important provision for helping children participate in a meaningful way within the hearing.