This portal includes information on what you can expect from us as an organisation, including how to make a referral

Add this page to your bookmarks by selecting 'Ctrl D'.

We look forward to working with you!

If you have any questions or queries contact us by emailing advocacy.reading@reconstruct.co.uk

Find out more about our advocacy service and access our referral forms...jump to section>

Find out more about our IV service and access referral forms and guidance documents...jump to section>

Help us spread the word about our services for children and young people... jump to section>

Reconstruct is an independent provider of advocacy and is a separate service, completely independent of a Local Authority. 

We provide:

Independent advocacy to Children and young people 

Our role is to support and relay the views and wishes of the child or young person and to ensure their voice is represented.

Parent advocacy 

Parents who are vulnerable due to a diagnosed mental health condition or assessed learning disability can be supported by an advocate to ensure they are able to fully participate in the statutory processes such as Child Protection Conferences and Children Look After reviews.

Empower children to speak up for themselves or for the advocate to speak up on their behalf

Make children aware of the decision making processes they are going through and to help them navigate the process

Ensure that  children receive independent information, advice and support and be able to signpost them to specialist support where necessary

Assist children in the swift resolution of complaints

The Advocacy Service will provide support and advocacy for children aged 5-18 years and care leavers up to aged 25 who are placed both in and out of the authority area in the following placement types: This includes Homeless 16 -17 year olds, Young carers, and Children In Need

Foster Care

Residential Care

Independent Living

Supported lodgings

Living with relatives

Placed with parents

The referrer completes the form on the referral link and this will be sent automatically to the coordinator for Brighter Futures. 

If you are referring a sibling group, please complete the referral form for one young person and email the name(s) and Dob(s) of other siblings to advocacy.reading@reconstruct.co.uk

Within 24 hours the referral will be acknowledged by the Reconstruct team and within 48 hours will be assigned to an advocate. You will be contacted to discuss the following upon receipt of referral:

• To let you know the status of the referral and who the Advocate allocated will be. If the referral is missing any information, they will also ask for further clarification, including any risks that the advocate should be aware of before meeting the child/young person.
• Advocate will arrange with parent/carer to speak with the young person.
• If parents or young person do not want to engage then advocate would complete a non-starter form and advise the social worker.
• If the young person is aged 16 plus the Advocate will ask the referrer if it is acceptable for them to contact the young person directly.
• An advocate will meet with the young person face to face or virtually (child led).

Please ensure referrals are sent well in advance to allow for an advocate to be allocated in good time. Should an advocate not be available due to delays in sending the referral, Reconstruct will not be held responsible 

BACK TO TOP

Parents who are vulnerable due to a diagnosed mental health condition or assessed learning disability can be supported by an advocate to ensure they are able to fully participate in the statutory processes such as Child Protection Conferences and Children Look After reviews.

The referrer completes the form on the referral link and this will be sent automatically to the coordinator for Brighter Futures. 

If you are referring two parents complete the referral form for one parent and email the name and Dob of the other parent to advocacy.reading@reconstruct.co.uk

Within 24 hours the referral will be acknowledged by the Reconstruct team and within 48 hours will be assigned to an advocate. You will be contacted to discuss the following upon receipt of referral:

• To let you know the status of the referral and who the Advocate allocated will be. If the referral is missing any information, they will also ask for further clarification, including any risks that the advocate should be aware of before meeting the parent.
• Advocate will arrange to meet with parent.
• If parent is not willing to engage then the advocate would complete a non-starter form and advise the referrer.

• An advocate will meet with the parent face to face or virtually

Please ensure referrals are sent well in advance to allow for an advocate to be allocated in good time. Should an advocate not be available due to delays in sending the referral, Reconstruct will not be held responsible 

An Independent Visitor (IV) is an adult volunteer who is independent of Social Services. Their role is to establish a supportive and long term relationship with a young person built on trust. They will guide and listen to a young person, helping to build their self-esteem and develop new interests and skills over time. 

Visit a child on a regular basis, usually once a month, to befriend them 

Provide Looked After Children with someone to talk to who is independent of the local authority 

Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child 

Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. 

All Looked After Children will be able to access the Independent Visitor Service up to the age of 18

Children with disabilities and special educational needs

It is expected that the majority of children accessing this service will be over the age of 8 years old

The referrer completes the form on the referral link and this will be sent automatically to the coordinator for Brighter Futures

BACK TO TOP

We really want to get the word out that we can provide an Independent visitor  to young people in Reading and encourage you and your teams download these and share with the relevant people

We really want to get the word out that we can provide an Advocate to young people in Reading and encourage you and your teams download these and share with the relevant people