Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

My Lords, Sir William Utting concluded back in 1997 that looked-after children need independent advocacy as a source of protection and as a means of ensuring that their voices are heard within an otherwise closed system. More than 10 years later, current developments in Jersey remind us of what can tragically happen when children’s voices are not heard. Of course the Government are right to strive for a situation in which all professionals who come into contact with children actively seek and listen to their views, but that is not sufficient. There is so much that is good in the Bill—we just need to travel a little further. An independent advocate has a unique role: to represent the child’s views, free from any other competing responsibilities. From that position, the advocate can build a relationship of trust with the child, and trust, as we know, is vital if we are to keep children in care safe.