National Youth Advocacy Service
Key Facts
Location
Project Criteria
Project funding
£247,128
Funding round
Set up in 1979, The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) is a children's and young people's charity. We supply socio-legal advice, information, signposting, representation and support services to children and young people and appropriately concerned adults.
Our project will deliver a national advocacy and support programme to young parents whose life experiences have disadvantaged them. Young people, most at risk of family breakdown, will be targeted. They may be in care or care leavers, have disabilities and /or mental health problems, in secure accommodation or in danger of offending.
These young people are often unable or reluctant to accept support from agencies, as they fear that their baby may be 'taken away'. Perhaps they have experienced poor parenting themselves and may lack the skills and confidence to parent effectively.
We will provide independent confidential advice, information, representation, counselling and support to these young parents. Our service will put them in touch with support networks that meet their needs and those of their children.
Publicity about the project will be available through organisations likely to be in contact with the young parents. These organisations include: Social Services, NHS services, Youth offending Teams, Young Offender Institutions, Connexions, Sure Start and other statutory and voluntary agencies.
Every young parent referred to, or contacting the service will immediately receive advice and information from the intake team. Their case will be allocated to a parent support worker within three working days of the first contact. An individual support plan and objectives will be agreed with young parents. It will put them in touch with local support networks. The allocated worker will maintain contact with the young parent at least once a week for the following twelve weeks. If necessary, parent support workers will advocate for their clients in decision-making processes that could influence the lives of the young parents and their children.