PORTAL
South Gloucestershire Portal
This Portal includes information on what you can expect from us as an organisation, including how to make a referral.
You may wish to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl + D).
Reconstruct is the provider for the following services for the children and young people South Gloucestershire 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 for Children and Young people South Gloucetershire 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:
-
Care planning, reviews, and placement issues
-
Education concerns
-
Contact with family and friends
-
Complaints and concerns
Who is Eligible for this service?
Child Protection Advocacy
Our service provides Child Protection Advocacy for children and young people aged 10 and over who are the subject of a Child Protection Conference.
The aim of the service is to ensure that children and young people have a clear understanding of the Child Protection process and are supported to express their views and, where appropriate, attend their Child Protection Conference.
Children in care Advocacy
Our Advocacy Service supports children and young people to participate in their Statutory Reviews and provides support when they wish to make a complaint. This service is available to children and young people aged 5–18.
The aim of the service is to ensure that children and young people in care, and those making a complaint about the local authority, have the opportunity to have their views heard and taken into account. Advocates will support and empower children and young people to speak for themselves wherever possible.
Making a Referral
Professionals from South Gloucestershire can refer to our service. Children and young people can self refer
On receipt of the referral
Our coordinator will:
-
Acknowledge receipt of the referral within 24 hours
-
Discuss any risks identified in the referral or confirm any missing information
-
Assign to an advocate where possible within 48 hours
If you would like to speak to our coordinator with regards to your referral please email advocacy@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?
The Service will be available to children and young people in the care of the Authority, between the ages of 8 and 18 years.
Making a Referral
Professionals from South Gloucestershire Local Authority can refer to our service.