National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
We are a provider of independent advocacy for children, young people and vulnerable adults. The service is freely available to:
• All Looked After Children and young people (including trafficked children and unaccompanied asylum seekers)
• Children and young people in foster care or residential homes
• Children and young people at home subject to Care Orders
• Children and young people in out-of-county placements
• Children and young people in short break care
• Care Leavers eligible under the Leaving Care Act
• Care leavers and other children using children’s services who are making or intending to make a formal complaint
• All Children in Need
• Children subject to an initial and/or review child protection conference (ICPC/RCPC)
• All young people resident in Aycliffe Secure Centre (including young people from other Local Authorities)
• Children who request support with, or to appeal their Education, Health and Care Plan at Tribunal (a separate dedicated service is commissioned to support this requirement but there may occasions where it is appropriate for young people to access advocacy under this service specification).
• Young people who are detained under a section of the Mental Health Act, or subject to a Community Treatment Order, and request an Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA).
• 16 and 17 year olds who may be homeless and/or require accommodation
NYAS advocates work only for the child or young person, helping them to resolve their issue and ensuring that their voice - their views, wishes and feelings - is heard and helps to inform the decisions that professionals are making about them.
We provide independent, confidential and free advocacy support services and representation to children and young people throughout County Durham from 0-25 years old. This includes any child or young person with special educational needs or disabilities who are undergoing a review of their EHCP. It also includes any Durham child in the care of Aycliffe Secure Centre or receiving a service from West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough or any other private residential provision or school in the country.
For more information or to make a referral please call freephone: 0808 808 1001 during 9.00am - 8.00pm weekdays or 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday, or email: help@nyas.net
More information is also available on the NYAS website: www.nyas.net
or
the young person's NYAS website: https://youngpeople.nyas.net/
When is it on?
- Time of day
-
Morning
Afternoon - Session information
-
Monday to Friday 9.00am - 8.00pm
Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Who to contact
- Contact name
- Jenna Senior
- Contact position
- Project Coordinator
- Telephone
-
07395 285 498
08088 081 001
- help@nyas.net
- Website
- National Youth Advocacy Service
Other details
- Cost description
- A free service for children and young people.
- Referral required?
- Yes
- Referral and availability notes
Referrals can be made directly by children, young people and vulnerable adults. If an adult/parent/carer/social worker etc is doing so on their behalf, then consent must be obtained wherever possible.
- Age range
-
0-25 years old.
Local Offer
- Local Offer description
The NYAS service is available to any child or young person with special educational needs or disabilities who are undergoing a transition from a statement to an EHCP, or a review of that plan.
It is also available for children and young people undergoing a carer's assessment.
We provide a free, independent and confidential advocacy service, helping children and young people to understand their rights and to have a voice.
- Contact name
- Jenna Senior
- Contact telephone
- 07395 285 498
- Contact email
- jenna.senior@nyas.net
Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.