Voice

This is your service

This is your service and it is important that we know what you think. We will contact you every six months to ask your views about the service and specific things we are doing. We recently asked you about this offer and your ideas have been included. If you ever want to give feedback or ask questions please talk to your personal advisor or the manager.  There is also a link on the Home page where you can send us messages.

You can also find us on Facebook at NT Leaving Care and we have regular brunch sessions at the Lodge, we would love you to come along and chat to the team.

The Participation, Advocacy and Engagement Team works to ensure that children and young people living and attending schools in North Tyneside have their voices heard and their views taken into account and taken seriously, making sure that children and young people are involved in service design, development and delivery.

The team supports children and young people’s forums such as the Young Mayor and Cabinet, Youth Council, Children in Care Councils, Children’s Council and the Health and Wellbeing Board to encourage children and young people to tell the council and its partners about what life is like growing up and going to school in North Tyneside.

The Participation, Advocacy and Engagement team upholds the rights of children, focusing on Article 12 of the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), which states that children and young people have the right to be heard and involved in decisions which affect them.

This year we have launched a year long campaign called the Voice of the child, which aims to promote all departments within the local authority to listen to children and young people and understand and implement what they would like out of council services.

Voice of the Child | North Tyneside Council

Home Page - Coram Voice

What to get involved? 

We’d love to hear from you.  You can help us with interviews, tell us what you think and work on projects with the Children in Care Council. 

Complaints

You have the right to raise concerns or make a complaint if there is something you’re not happy with. Any complaint will be taken seriously and you will be given a response. Initially speak to your social worker or personal advisor, however if the claim is about them or you would prefer to speak to someone else, you can speak to the team manager. You will be supported to enter your complaint and will be provided with information about what to expect. If you are unhappy about the outcome of any complaint, you will be provided information about how to take it further.

The council has a process to follow in children’s social care – further information can be found on the website Complain about council services | North Tyneside Council

You can contact a dedicated complaints officer in the Customer First Office by:

Telephone 0191 643 2280
Email: customerfirstoffice@northtyneside.gov.uk

Or write to us at:

Customer First Office, North Tyneside Council, Quadrant, The Silverlink North, NE27 0BY

Independent Support from North Tyneside Advocacy Service

The Participation, Advocacy and Engagement team provides advocacy to children and young people in care or care leavers to help them tackle difficulties they are having regarding decisions being made about them. If you have questions about decisions made about your care or feel that you’re not being listened to, we can arrange an advocate for you to make sure your views and wishes are heard.

We also offer return home conversations, when a young person returns home after being reported missing, we can come out and visit to find out if there’s anything we can support with to prevent it happening again. These conversations are always optional, and a young person can refuse.

An advocate can help to make sure adults in your life listen to you, to help you understand your options and choices and to stand up for you when things are not right in your life or you feel you need something changed

To contact an advocate:

Telephone: 0191 643 8215
Mobile (call or text) 07929749700
Email advocacy@northtyneside.gov.uk 

If you don’t get an answer, leave a message and we will get back to you.

Accessing Records

You can ask to see your records at any time once you are 18, it’s free, just speak to your personal advisor who will be able to help you access the information you need. They will also be able to provide advice and support on making a formal request for your case files.

Getting Involved

We want you to be an active member of society therefore, we will keep you up to date with information and support to help you build good connections within your local community.

Do you have any ideas for activities you’d like to do at the Lodge? 

Let us know and we’ll see what we can do.