Speak Up
Speak Up is York's Children's Rights and Advocacy Service. It is here to help you understand your rights, and to provide you with help and support on anything and everything to do with being in care. Speak Up like to know your opinion on Children's Services, on being in care and on what you'd like to happen in your life.
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Why have a Speak Up Service?
Because you need to know that what you think and what you say matters. All children and young people have the right to have their views listened to and respected, especially when decisions are being made about their life. We think this is really important.
The people at Speak Up are called advocates and they can help you to express your views and have them heard by the people who make decisions. Advocates can also help you find out more about your rights and entitlements. They can also support you if you are unhappy and would like to make a complaint. You can find out more about advocates on our advocacy page.
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Speak Up is independent, which means we are separate from Children's Services (the social work teams). It's important that we're separate so we can represent the views of young people.
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If you would like to contact Speak Up to find out more about our service and how we can help you, please contact us on 07769 725174 or speakup@york.gov.uk.
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U Matter
Every year, we support children and young people in care to complete the U Matter survey. This is a chance for you to share your views about the support you get from Children's Services. Your views are really important and the idea is that your feedback helps Children's Services to know what they're doing well, and where they could develop or improve.
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We've pulled together all of the feedback from the 2018 U Matter survey - find out here what young people in care have told us.
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our team
Nikki
children's rights manager
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I have worked with Speak Up for 11 years, and before that I worked as a social worker in Leeds and then York. I have two children and I love going to the seaside.
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Sophie
advocacy and participation worker
I have worked with Speak Up for 2 years, and before that was a Speak Up volunteer advocate. I like baking, going to the cinema and spending time with friends.
Michelle
advocacy and participation worker
I have worked with Speak Up for 9 years. I have 3 children and a dog. In my spare time I enjoy live music and seeing friends.
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Georgette
Speak up apprentice
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Angie
advocacy and participation worker
I have worked with Speak Up for 4 ½ years and before this I was an advocate for children and young people who experienced domestic violence. I have a little girl who keeps me busy but in my own time I enjoy baking and being creative wherever I can.
