An advocate is someone who speaks up for people and helps them to speak for themselves.

At Collingham we have an advocate who comes to visit. They spend time with the children both in the classroom and in freetime. Their job is to listen to you and to speak to us on your behalf about your views, wishes and worries.

Children and young people can talk privately with them about any worries they may have or to help tell the staff anything which they find difficult to say.

Children and young people can also talk to their parents or any member of staff if they are worried about anything. Another alternative is to speak to Childline. They can be called from any phone and the telephone number is 0800 1111.

Complaints

If you are unhappy about the way we work, you can speak to a member of staff or to the manager, who will listen to your concerns and try to help. If after talking about it, you are still unhappy, you have the right to make a complaint. We can give you or your family a leaflet which explains how to do this.