SHOUT – Young People’s Advocacy

 

Helping young people understand their rights and speak up about what matters to them

 

Information for young people, families and professionals

 

Who is SHOUT for?

 

SHOUT supports young people aged 14 to 18 who live in Gateshead or South Tyneside.

 

The project is designed particularly for:

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• young people with a learning disability

• autistic young people

• young people whose needs are being explored or assessed.

 

How can SHOUT help?

 

SHOUT provides independent, rights-based advocacy. We can help a young person:

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• understand their rights and options

• express their views, wishes and concerns

• prepare for and take part in meetings, assessments or decisions

• speak up about their education, health, care or support

• prepare for changes and the transition to adulthood

• challenge unfair treatment or make a complaint

• develop confidence and skills to advocate for themselves.

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An advocate will listen to the young person and help them decide what they want to say or do. The advocate will not make decisions for them or tell them what they should choose.

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SHOUT is not counselling, social work, legal advice, mediation or an emergency service.

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What support does SHOUT provide?

 

Depending on what the young person needs, SHOUT support may include:

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• individual advocacy about a particular issue

• brief advocacy, information or self-advocacy support

• workshops and group activities

• peer advocacy or opportunities to connect with other young people

• opportunities for young people to help shape services and resources

• signposting or supported connections to another service.

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Not every SHOUT contact will become an ongoing one-to-one advocacy case.

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How will we decide what support can be offered?

 

YVC will review the request and, wherever possible, discuss it directly with the young person. We will consider:

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• what the young person wants help with

• whether advocacy is the appropriate response

• any important meetings, decisions or deadlines

• the urgency of the situation

• what other support is already available

• the current capacity of the SHOUT project.

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We will then explain the most suitable next step. This might be individual advocacy, brief or self-advocacy support, a workshop or group opportunity, signposting to another service, or waiting until suitable capacity is available.

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Submitting a referral does not automatically mean that ongoing one-to-one advocacy will be offered. If we cannot provide the requested support immediately, we will explain this and discuss the available options.

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Who can make a referral?

 

A young person can refer themselves. A referral can also be made by:

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• a parent, carer or family member

• school or college staff

• a health or social care professional

• a voluntary or community organisation

• another person supporting the young person.

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A professional referral is not required.

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Where somebody else makes the referral, the young person should know about it and agree that YVC may contact them wherever possible. If it has not yet been possible to involve the young person, the referral form should explain why.

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How can I ask for SHOUT support?

 

Complete the SHOUT referral form yourself or ask someone you trust to help you.  Visit Make a referral to download the required referral form.

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If completing the form is difficult, call us on 0191 478 6472 or freephone 0300 303 1248. We can discuss what is happening and take the initial referral information by telephone or email when appropriate.

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Further information

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• Visit our Resources page for information about advocacy.

• For advice about a referral, email mail@yvc.org.uk, call 0191 478 6472 or call freephone 0300 303 1248.

 

SHOUT is a Your Voice Counts project supported by the Henry Smith Foundation’s Shout! Fund.

 

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