PORTAL
Reading Borough Council Referral 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 for the children and young people Reading Borough Council cares for.
A little bit about us
Since 1990, Reconstruct has been a trusted provider of independent services to the social care sector, supporting vulnerable children, young people, adults, and families across the UK.
We are an independent organisation, operating separately from the Local Authority, and are the commissioned provider of Advocacy and Independent Visiting services for children and young people Reading Borough Council cares for.
Advocacy Services
An advocate is independent to social services and is someone who provides support to children and young people in care, care leavers and children and young people who are subject to Child Protection proceedings.
At Reconstruct, our advocates provide Issue-Based Advocacy to support children and young people, with specific concerns or challenges that matter to them.
We work alongside individuals to help them understand their rights, explore their options, and make informed decisions. Our advocates ensure that their views, wishes, and feelings are clearly represented to those making decisions about their lives.
Issue-Based Advocacy can support with:
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Care planning, reviews, and placement issues
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Education concerns
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Contact with family and friends
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Complaints and concerns
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.
Making a Referral
Professionals from Reading Borough Council can refer to our service. Children and young people can self refer.
On receipt of the referral
Our coordinator will:
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Acknowledge receipt of the referral within 24 hours
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Discuss any risks identified in the referral or confirm any missing information
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Assign to an advocate where possible within 48 hours
If you would like to speak to our coordinator regarding your referral please email advocacy.reading@reconstruct.co.uk
Independent Visiting
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a child or young person in care and develops a long-term, positive relationship with them. This may involve helping them explore new interests, develop skills and hobbies, or enjoy activities together such as going to the cinema, bowling, or simply taking a walk in the park.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in their local area who shares similar interests, helping to build a meaningful and lasting friendship.
The Independent Visitor spends approximately 2–4 hours each month with a child or young person; this is usually at weekends. Reconstruct ask volunteers to commit for a minimum of two years to provide consistency and stability for the young person
Who is Eligible for this service?
✔ All Looked After Children will be able to access the Independent Visitor Service up to the age of 18
✔ Children with disabilities and special educational needs
✔ It is expected that the majority of children accessing this service will be over the age of 8 years old
Making a Referral
Professionals from Reading Borough Council can refer to our service.
Click the referral link below.
Parent Advocacy
Who is Eligible for this service?
Parents who are vulnerable due to a diagnosed mental health condition or assessed learning disability can be supported by an advocate to ensure they are able to fully participate in the statutory processes such as Child Protection Conferences and Children Look After reviews.
Making a referral
Professionals from Reading Borough Council can refer to our service.
If you are referring two parents complete the referral form for one parent and email the name and Dob of the other parent to advocacy.reading@reconstruct.co.uk
On receipt of the referral
Our coordinator will:
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Acknowledge receipt of the referral within 24 hours
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Discuss any risks identified in the referral or confirm any missing information
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Assign to an advocate where possible within 48 hours
