Growing role of parental advocacy in the child protection system

Summary

A recent article in Professional Social Work highlights how parental advocacy is transforming experiences within the child protection system. Many parents report feeling intimidated, isolated and unable to express themselves in meetings with professionals. Parental advocates — people with lived experience of the system — are now being piloted in some UK local authorities to support parents through meetings and decision-making processes.

Evidence from research suggests that advocacy helps parents feel more confident, improves communication with social workers, fosters trust and ensures parents are more meaningfully involved in decisions about their children’s lives. Social workers involved in advocacy schemes also report better relationships and more effective collaboration with families.

The approach draws on successful models from the US and has been recommended in England’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. While funding and broader implementation remain challenges, early pilots show promise in making the system less adversarial and more supportive for families.