Having an advocate can radically change outcomes for children in care. We discuss how independent advocacy builds trust, supports children through the hidden grief of entering care, and why it should be a statutory right for every young person.

In This Episode:

• Access & Referral Barriers: How advocates connect with children aged 6 to 14 (often in schools) and why parental consent and social worker referrals remain major obstacles.

• The Power of Independent Voice: How advocacy gives decision makers deeper insight into a child's lived experience for faster, more effective planning.

• Building Instant Trust: Navigating short timeframes, non compulsory engagement, and offering children true choice over their own story.

• Making Advocacy a Statutory Right: Why turning advocacy into an entitlement benefits children, families, and social care professionals alike.

• The Unspoken Grief of Entering Care: Understanding the sensory and emotional shock children experience when removed from familiar routines, and why extended therapeutic support is critical.

Want to learn more about independent advocacy or access support? Visit our website to get in touch with the team:Reconstruct | Children's Advocacy & Consultancy

In this episode, we sit down with Roz, a former corporate professional turned youth advocate, to break down the critical role independent advocacy plays in the lives of children in care and care leavers.

Roz shares her personal transition into social care and provides an eye opening look at the real challenges young people face today, from fighting prejudice and navigating bureaucratic brick walls to dealing with the emotional gap between surviving on the streets and truly feeling supported.

Together, we tackle the hard hitting issues that are too often avoided, including:

• The Importance of Independence: Why having an advocate with no agenda gives young people a genuine voice.

• Trauma in the Family Courts: The urgent need for trauma-informed practices to support vulnerable, care-experienced young mothers facing court proceedings.

• Aging Out of Care: The harsh realities facing 18 to 25 year olds as formal support systems drop away, and why love and long-term emotional regulation must be built into care.

• Driving Systemic Change: How gathering young people’s lived experiences helps local authorities spot trends and address gaps in care.

Tune in for an insightful, honest discussion on what it truly takes to make sure children in care feel seen, heard, and valued.

In the first episode of Reconstruct, we hear from a volunteer who gives just a few hours of their time each month to support a young person.

What began as simply showing up soon became a relationship built on trust, curiosity and learning. They talk about being constantly amazed by how intelligent and perceptive she is — and how, while they may be there to teach and guide her, she often ends up teaching them something too.

A reminder that sometimes the biggest difference you can make starts with simply being there.

Start Smart: What to Know Before Setting Up a Children’s Service: Residential homes, supported accommodation, and education settings

Are you considering starting a Children’s Residential Home, Supported Accommodation, or an education setting? Launching a new service is exciting but comes with many challenges, from compliance and registration to staffing, funding, and operational planning.This webinar will guide you through the key considerations before taking the leap, giving you a clear picture of what it takes to build a safe, sustainable, and successful service.We will cover:Regulatory and compliance essentialsStaffing, training, and leadership requirementsFunding, sustainability, and operational planningUnderstanding market needs and gapsPitfalls to avoid when starting upAttendees will leave with practical insights and confidence to make informed decisions about starting their own service.