The Children’s Rights Service is:
It is an independent advice, information and support service for children and young people looked after by Wokingham Social Services
A Children’s Rights and Advocacy Officer is employed by Wokingham Borough Council to run the Service, based at the Woodley Family Centre with a separate, confidential phone line
The service aims to be confidential, which means that what you say will not be repeated without your agreement, unless it is something which might hurt you or someone else. In this situation, the Children’s Rights Officer will discuss with you who needs to be told and will always make sure you know what is going on
Who can use it?
All children and young people looked after by Wokingham Social Services, whether:
They live in a children’s home, or
They live in a foster home, or supported lodgings, or
They live in a secure unit, or
They are in care, living with friends or relatives
Also, other people can use the service on their behalf, for example, a teacher, carer or friend.
How can it help?
It can:
Give information and advice about children’s rights
Listen to and help sort out any problems or complaints children and young people may have
Help children and young people to have a say in decisions which affect them
Set up a group to tell managers, policy makers and workers what children and young people think about services they are providing and how they could be improved
Children and young people looked after by Social Services have the right to:
Be respected and listened to
Be consulted about decisions which affect them
Get the most out of their education
Have their health needs looked after
Be treated fairly and have positive action taken to address any different needs which might result from their gender, age, race, sexuality, culture, disability, language or religion
Know what is in their care plan
Here are some examples of why young people contact the Children’s Rights Service:
Adults taking decisions without listening to them
Wanting to read what is in their Social Services file
Racism at home or school
Not having a school to go to
Social Workers not visiting enough
Rules in Children’s Homes
Being hurt by adults
Bullying, and many more reasons
If you are unhappy about the help you receive from the Children’s Rights Service you can:
Call the Children’s Development Manager on 0118 974 6768
Ask about the Wokingham Borough Council Complaints Procedure. Your Social Worker will tell you how to do this
Ask an adult that you trust for help
How do I contact the Service?
Telephone: 0118 974 6180
If Chris, the Children’s Rights Officer is not in, please leave a number she can get back to you on.
Or, you can write to:
The Children’s Rights Officer
Children's Services
Box 156
Shute End
Wokingham
RG40 1WN
