Bedford Advocacy Service

Bedford Advocacy Service is run by Barnardo's.  It is a free service for children and young people who are receiving help from Bedford Borough Council Social Care Service and meet one of the additional requirements:

• Aged up to 19 (or 25 if you have a disability)
• Living in Care 
• A Care Leaver 

What is Advocacy? 

• Help you to get your views across 
• Allows you to have your say when decisions are being made about you.
• A service independent of Children's Social Care and the Council.
• An Advocate works for you, and only you. 

What can an advocate do for me?

• Give you information about your rights 
• Help you to have your say in meeting like you Review, Child Protection Conference, Family Group Conference or the Children in Care Council.
• Speak on your behalf when decisions are being made.
• Help you to make a complaint if you are not happy with the service you receive.

Is it confidential?

• What you tell us is private 
• We only share information with your agreement
• However if we geel that you or someone else might be harmed we may have to share the information.