Parent peer advocates

Parent-to-parent peer advocacy is for parents with experience of children’s services. They use their knowledge to support other parents and carers.

Any parent in a child protection conference (CPC) or other meeting with children’s services can ask to have a parent advocate.

The advocate knows what it's like to have professionals involved with their family. So, they can help you by:

• providing emotional support
• helping you understand the process and what to expect at the meeting
• discussing the professional report
• making sure you voice your views at the meeting

The support provided by parent advocates takes place in 3 stages:

1. The parent advocate meets with you before the meeting. They discuss the professional report. They help you think about your views on the best plan for your family and the support you want.
2. The parent advocate attends the meeting with you. They make you feel supported and can express your views or question anything you're unsure about.
3. The parent advocate meets with you again after the meeting. They'll discuss what happens next and make sure you feel confident in future meetings.

Request support from a parent advocate

If you've been told that a CPC or other meeting with children’s services is happening and want a parent advocate's support, you can:

• ask your social worker to make a referral
• email us at parentadvocacy@southwark.gov.uk

If you'd like more information about having a parent advocate, contact our family inclusion coordinator by:

• calling 07714 073 719

• emailing parentadvocacy@southwark.gov.uk

About parent advocates

Parent advocates are volunteers. They make sure the parents or carers they're supporting:

• understand all discussions and the information in any reports prepared for the CPC or a meeting with children's services
• are aware of their rights and options
• are able to have their views heard at the CPC or meeting

Anyone with previous experience of children’s services could become a parent advocate.

Parent advocates receive full training, but they will need some specific skills including:

• good communication skills (written and spoken)
• good listening skills
• can build positive relationships and provide emotional support
• can work with professionals to help another parent
• flexibility to attend meetings with parents

Parent advocates must finish our advocacy training. After that, they can start working with parents. Training takes place over 8 weeks.

Training includes:

• advocacy skills and understanding the role of the parent advocate
• child protection legal framework and parents’ rights
• child protection conferences in Southwark
• understanding professionals’ concerns
• safeguarding
• data protection and safe data handling

The Open College Network gives the advocacy module of our training a Level 2 accreditation. You can use it for further courses.

We provide one-to-one supervision to support parent advocates in their role. Regular group supervision is also held for all parent advocates.

Become a parent advocate

If you're interested in being a parent advocate or want to know more, contact our family inclusion coordinator by:

• calling 07714 073 719

• emailing parentadvocacy@southwark.gov.uk