Advocacy for Young People in Transition

The service can provide support to young people aged from 13 to 25 years who have a learning disability. The service is focused on supporting young people with issues related to transition, such as making the transition from school to further education, independent living or employment.

Our transition advocate will work alongside people who are referred to the service and where there is a specific issue, or issues, that the person feels they need advocacy support to resolve. The advocate can support young people to:

• find information about their options
• discuss and understand their situation and the choices available to them
• speak up; by supporting them at meetings and reviews, including those with health and social care services and helping people to write letters or make calls.

Advocacy is free to access and confidential, however, we at times the service is in high demand and there may be a waiting list for allocation of an advocate.

Anyone can make a referral to the service. Young people are often referred by professionals in health and social care or educational and supported living settings. However, we will happily accept referrals from carers, family or friends, and direct from the person needing an advocate if they wish to self refer. Please note, however, that advocacy is a partnership with the person being supported and, where their condition allows, the person being referred must know about the referral and want to work with an advocate. To make a referral, please call our Stoke-on-Trent office on 01782 845584.