PORTAL
Gloucestershire Council Portal
This Portal includes information on what you can expect from us as an organisation, including how to make a referral.
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Reconstruct is the provider for the following services available for your young people
A little bit about us
Reconstruct has been delivering Advocacy, Independent Visiting and Participation since 1990 to vulnerable children and young people.
Reconstruct are the providers of the BeHeard Advocacy service for Gloucestershire children and young people and the provider of their Independent Visiting Service.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of these children and young people is at the centre of the work we undertake.
Advocacy Services
An advocate is someone who provides support to children and young people in care, care leavers and children and young people who are subject to a Child Protection Conference.
Advocacy means to speak up for someone and there are some groups of people who may need more help that others – in this case, vulnerable children and young people. It’s about making sure that children have a say in decisions that affect their life. Advocacy is about making things change because children’s voices are heard and listened to.
The Children in Care Advocacy Service will provide support and advocacy for children in care aged 6-18 years and care leavers up to aged 25 who are placed both in and out of the authority area
Who is Eligible for this service?
The Advocacy Service will provide support and advocacy for children aged 5-18 years and care leavers up to aged 25 who are placed both in and out of the authority area in the following placement types: This includes Homeless 16-17 year olds, Young carers, and Children in need.
✔ Looked after Children and Young People as well as privately fostered Children and Young People.
✔ Children and Young People up to the age of 25 moving on from care to adult life and who are entitled to a service under the Children Leaving Care Act 2000.
✔ Children and Young People aged 6 and over who are subject to a Child Protection Conference.
✔ Children and Young People in receipt of a Social Care service making a complaint about that Service.
✔ Children and Young People who are aged 6 to 25 years who are receiving support from Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) Disabled Children & Young People services.
If the referral is complex please call 0800 0209 858 or directly to Eileen the coordinator on her mobile on 07955 313 719 and talk through the referral or email advocacy.gloucestershire@reconstruct.co.uk
Within 24 hours the referral will be acknowledged by the Reconstruct team and within 48 hours will be assigned to an advocate. You will be contacted to discuss the following upon receipt of referral:
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To let you know the status of the referral and who the Advocate allocated will be. If the referral is missing any information, they will also ask for further clarification, including any risks that the advocate should be aware of before meeting the child/young person.
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Advocate will arrange with parent/carer to speak with the young person.
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If parents or young person do not want to engage then advocate would complete a non-starter form and advise the social worker.
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If the young person is aged 16 plus the Advocate will ask the referrer if it is acceptable for them to contact the young person directly.
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An advocate will meet with the young person face to face or virtually (child led) s a paragraph.
Please ensure invites to meetings are sent well in advance to allow for advocates to be allocated and for the V&F’s to be collated. Should an advocate not be available due to delays in Gloucestershire, Reconstruct will not be held responsible for not attending said meetings. However we will endeavour to support the child but this may not be possible and the child may have to be represented at the next meeting.
Independent Visiting
An Independent Visitor (IV) is an adult volunteer who is independent of Social Services. Their role is to establish a supportive and long term relationship with a young person built on trust. They will guide and listen to a young person, helping to build their self-esteem and develop new interests and skills over time.
Who is Eligible for this service?
Children and young people between the ages of 7 and 17 who are looked after by Gloucestershire County Council.
When a young person reaches the age of 18 they cease to be looked after. However, where there is an established relationship there should be the possibility of an independent visitor continuing his/her relationship with a young person once they cease to be looked after.
Making a Referral
All social workers can make a referral using the links below. If you are a parent or carer and would like to access the service, please contact your social worker who will make a referral on your behalf.