UNCRC

Children have the right to express their views and to be listened to by the adult professionals making decisions that affect them and their life. If things go wrong, they have the right to make a complaint, either on their own, or with the help of a relative, friend or an advocate.

Ourselves, NHS Borders and other public sector organisations working with children and young people are developing new child friendly complaints procedures which are in line with new Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) Guidance.

These principles will underpin how we will handle and investigate complaints from or involving children, in a way that respects their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the UNCRC).

Advocacy

An advocate is a person who can make sure that children's views, wishes and feelings are heard. This can be done by:

• supporting them at meetings
• meeting them and listening to them
• helping them to make a complaint if they are not happy about something or a compliment if they are really happy about something
• giving them information and advice about their rights

Ongoing funding for a Children and Young People’s independent advocacy service has been agreed by the Children and Young People’s Planning Partnership (CYPPP) Board and the service specification is being developed following engagement with children, young people, parents and carers.