Representation, Rights and Advocacy Service

Kent County Council (KCC) was looking for an organisation or a consortium of organisations to deliver a Representation, Rights and Advocacy Service, that includes individual elements that are a recurring statutory requirement for KCC, as defined by the Children’s Act 1989.

The aim will be to provide a dedicated service that offers robust, consistent and sustainable support to children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The service model will bring together six interconnected elements of support which include:

1. Advocacy for Children in Care and for Care Leavers aged 16 – 24.
2. Independent Visitors for Children in Care aged 8 – 18 years.
3. Independent Persons for Stage 2 complaints under the Children Act 1989.
4. Appropriate Adults for young people aged 10 - 17 years, and vulnerable adults, detained at police custody suites who require support.
5. Accompanying Adults for the purpose of age assessment interviews for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, Children Act 1989.
6. In addition, and in support to the Independent Visitors Service, funding will be provided for
10. places for a Leaving Care Mentoring Service. This additional funding is for young people who turn 18 and who choose to retain the support of the Independent Visitor as a Mentor.

The Leaving Care Mentoring Service is not a statutory requirement under the Children’s Act.