Supporting Parents

Advocacy for Parents in Child Protection

Standing Beside Parents When It Matters Most

At Vocal Advocacy, we understand how overwhelming and frightening child protection processes can feel—especially for parents with learning disabilities or communication difficulties. When decisions are being made about your family’s future, having the right support can make all the difference.

We’re here to ensure that parents are listened to, understood, and given the best possible chance to be involved in decisions about their children’s lives.

Safeguarding Support

Helping Parents Engage with Confidence

We provide advocacy for parents at every stage of child protection involvement. Working in partnership with local legal firms, our advocates support parents to:

Understand the concerns raised by professionals
Prepare for and engage effectively in meetings
Make sure their voices are heard in key decisions
Receive Easy-Read summaries to help understand what’s happening

“Without my advocate, I wouldn’t have understood the court process at all. She broke it down for me to understand in my own way. I would have been scared and nervous without her. My advocate was amazing and the best person to work with.” – Vocal Client

Advocacy in Court

Guiding Parents Through the Legal Process

Many parents find court proceedings incredibly daunting. Our experienced Lay Advocates offer compassionate, practical support to help parents navigate every step of the legal process.

✔ Support with instructing legal representatives

✔ Guidance during court hearings

✔ Easy-Read summaries of complex legal information

✔ Emotional support through every stage of the process

Funded via court orders through HMCTS and the Legal Aid Agency, our advocacy helps parents stay informed, calm, and confident in a challenging environment.

“The support and service is invaluable for ensuring vulnerable clients are able to participate in proceedings effectively. It has been very clear to me that the parent in question wouldn’t have been able to participate on an equal footing to the other parties without the tailored and sensitive approach provided by Vocal Advocacy.” – Barrister, Collaton Chambers

Working in Partnership with Local Law Firms

Helping Legal Professionals Better Support Their Clients

Legal professionals turn to us because we bridge the communication gap—ensuring their clients fully understand the legal processes they’re involved in and can participate meaningfully in decisions about their lives.

Our specialist support includes:

Creating Easy-Read versions of complex legal documents
Interpreting complex situations in a way that clients can understand
Providing emotional support to help clients engage confidently with their legal teams
Guiding legal professionals of best practice in communication skills.

“The Vocal Advocacy team provides an invaluable service to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Clients benefit from their expertise both in and out of court, and I would not hesitate to refer further clients to this service.” – Legal Representative

How We Work With You

At the heart of our approach is a genuine partnership between our advocates and the parents we support. This is how we ensure that every parent feels respected, involved, and empowered. We’re committed to:

✔️ Take the time to really get to know each parent—understand their life and what matters most.
✔️ Be a good listener—never assume or guess.
✔️ Break problems into simple, manageable steps and work through them together.
✔️ Ask before taking any action—support is about partnership, not taking over.
✔️ Keep parents updated in a way that works for them—by phone, text, or in person.
✔️ Always get consent before acting.
✔️ Help parents prepare for important meetings and court appearances, giving them confidence and clarity about what to say.

How To Access Support In Court Proceedings?

If you or someone you know could benefit from our support, making a referral is simple. Our experienced team is ready to help. Our simple referral process only requires the parent’s consent.

We’re here to stand beside parents—giving them the confidence, clarity, and support they need to navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.

Refer someone for support

Why early advocacy matters

Why Early Advocacy Matters

The earlier parents receive the right support, the better the outcomes—for them and their families. Early advocacy helps parents understand concerns before situations escalate, reduces the likelihood of children entering care unnecessarily, and enables parents to engage confidently in decisions that shape their children’s futures.

If you’d like to learn more about how our wider advocacy services support individuals and families across different life situations, visit our Advocacy Services page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can access parent advocacy support?

We provide advocacy for parents with learning disabilities or cognitive difficulties who are involved in child protection processes. This includes both early-stage safeguarding concerns and parents facing court proceedings.

What kind of support does an advocate provide?

Our advocates help parents to:

Understand concerns raised by social services
Prepare for and participate confidently in meetings and court hearings
Instruct legal representatives and understand legal advice
Receive Easy-Read summaries of complex decisions and information
Manage the emotional challenges of safeguarding and legal processes

Is this service confidential?

Yes. Everything discussed with an advocate is confidential and will only be shared with the parent’s consent, unless there is a serious safeguarding concern.

Do parents have to pay for advocacy support?

No. Our services are free to parents. Court advocacy is funded through HMCTS and the Legal Aid Agency, and other support is provided through our work with local councils and charitable funding.

Can a parent choose to have a lay advocate present in meetings or court?

An advocate is considered if a professional (such as a legal representative, or a social worker) feels it is necessary and it is then ordered through court.

How do I make a referral for parent advocacy?

ou can refer a parent using our simple online form here: Make a Referral

If you have any questions or need help with the referral process, please contact us:
Phone: 01803 868300

What is a cognitive difficulty and how do I qualify for support in court?

A cognitive difficulty affects the way a person understands information and communicates. This can make it harder to understand complex information, express thoughts clearly, or manage everyday risks and responsibilities.

To understand if you are eligible an advocate, the first step is usually an assessment of the individual’s:

Cognitive or learning disability
Understanding of the legal process
Communication needs
Emotional vulnerability or stress response

This may be flagged by:

The individual’s solicitor
A social worker or family member
The court itself (e.g., a judge recognising the need for support)

If it’s clear that without help, the person wouldn’t be able to fully participate, a lay advocate may be considered.

Vocal Advocacy empowers some of the most socially marginalised, powerless, and disadvantaged individuals to access the same range of life choices as everyone else. Working across South and West Devon, our team of independent advocates helps people with their housing, work, education, finance, health, and social care issues.

Advocacy Services

Statutory advocacy for eligible adults and general advocacy if you're not eligible under the Care Act.

Find Out More