Your rights
An advocate is someone who:
- Will listen to you
- Will help you to be heard
- Can go to meetings with you, or go for you
- Will help you understand your rights
- Can help you make a complaint
- Is independent – this means they’re not part of other services like social care, education or health
- Won’t tell you what to do
- Can see you at home, school, college or wherever you feel most comfortable
The advocacy service in Staffordshire is called Change, Grow, Live. It’s confidential and free.
Call: 07912 120 158
Email: SSCRS@cgl.org.uk
Legal definitions
Eligible child
You are an eligible child if you are:
- Currently looked after
- Aged 16 or 17
- You have been looked after for a period of 13 weeks (in one go or at different times), which started after you reached 14 and ended after you reached 16
Relevant care leaver
You are a relevant care leaver if you are no longer looked after by the local authority, but you were an eligible child.
Former relevant care leaver
You are a former relevant care leaver if you are 18 or above and you have been an eligible child or relevant care leaver.
Qualifying care leaver
You are a qualifying care leaver if you are in care for at least one day between 16 and 25-years-old, but not for 13 weeks or more.