The Importance of Relationship in Independent Advocacy for Care-Experienced Young People

Independent advocacy services for children and young people with care experience aim to connect with, empower and facilitate service users to have their voices heard and address issues of importance and concern to them. This paper gives an account of a review of independent advocacy services for those with care experience in Ireland, with a particular focus on the views and experiences of young adults and advocates. The article highlights how supportive relationships emerge as a strong priority for those engaged in the advocacy process and proceeds to explore the findings of this study in light of relevant national and international literature and research. In view of the research findings and the strong focus on relationships and support that unfold, a model of advocacy is proposed which places relationships at its heart, serving to provide an effective and essential foundation from which other key elements of independent advocacy such as voice, participation and empowerment are enabled. Such a model will, it is proposed, enhance the experience and heighten the impact of advocacy interventions for young people and the advocacy professionals that work with them.