The Advocacy and Independent Visiting Service supports children and young people who are in the care of a local authority so that they can have a voice in decision-making about their lives. The service provides advocates who support young people through befriending and ultimately, representation for them according to their wishes. This could take the form of attending meetings with them, attending meetings on their behalf, writing letters and/or making telephone calls on behalf of the young person to raise or follow up issues with appropriate agencies. Independent visitors are assigned to young people who want an adult friend to visit them regularly and share in ensuring that they are looked after well and supported. Volunteer advocates and independent visitors are the heartbeat of the Advocacy and Independent Visiting service, befriending young people and ensuring that they are empowered to participate in decisions that concern them and their lives.

The Young Runaways project aims to work with young people who have run away from home and their families/carers to help keep them safe and reduce the number of 'missing person' incidents. A steering group provides effective links into the relevant agencies, such as the police, social services, Connexions and youth services, which greatly assists in our work with young people to ensure that risks are identified early and that they receive appropriate services.