Since 2019, the Sandwell Advocacy Voice and Empowerment (SAVE) Project has supported 183 children and young people within the Sandwell region.
The project focuses on children and young people aged 5–18 who experience poor mental health and/or behavioral difficulties. The aim of the SAVE project is to give young people a voice, to allow them to express how they feel and to build trust. It also helps young people to address difficult issues at home, in school, and within their communities, while improving their communication with professionals and overall resilience.
The main challenges affecting the children and young people referred to the project include:
- Bullying (physical, emotional, psychological, both in-person and online)
- School avoidance
- Poor school attendance and academic performance
- Deregistration from school and transition to home education
- Isolation
Our role as an advocate
Sharon Wilson, in her role as an Independent Advocate, expresses that, “Advocates offer one-to-one, person-centred support, building trusting relationships to ensure that the needs, rights, and wishes of children and young people are voiced and heard. The project is designed to boost confidence, self-esteem, and essential skills, enabling participants to express their views, feelings, and wishes and ensuring they are taken seriously”.
“Whilst participation is always voluntary, children and young people are given choices when accessing services and activities. They are encouraged to participate in both internal and external forums, providing a platform for them to collectively voice their opinions. Additionally, Sandwell Advocacy organise occasional social events such as trips and group sessions, to reinforce peer support”.
How we assess and engage
Each case is unique and depends on individual circumstances and therefore undergoes a structured assessment process. This includes reviews, impact evaluations, and regular feedback from both the children and their families.
Engagement methods vary, depending on the needs of the child and may include social media, face-to-face meetings, home visits, text communication, school visits, or meetings at our office. In many cases, a combination of these methods is used.
Participant impact
The SAVE project positively influences the support network around the young person and aims to help to build trust. Here is some Feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders:
Parent: “The work you do is outstanding. It really helps her to know that you are not part of the school. She doesn’t trust adults easily—she feels like they’re always trying to get her or me in trouble.”
Young Person: “I told school I would only talk to you. Why do they get me so angry and then call you? If they involved you first, it would stop all this hassle. They don’t know how to talk to me like you do.”
Safeguarding Lead: “ML knows that her advocate is her safe person. She can come to me too, but having the advocate involved ensures we get the full picture—sometimes we don’t because we are the school.”
Anti-Social Behaviour Team: “I’m really glad that you are supporting (M) with this plan. He needs someone he can trust who has his best interests at heart.”
Case Study
Case Study: (B) was referred to the project due to anxiety, panic attacks, poor behaviour, and repeated school sanctions. She was on the verge of exclusion. Initially unsure about advocacy support, she decided to engage with the process.
Through advocacy, (B) was able to talk about her feelings and actions. She found schoolwork overwhelming, struggled to stay focused, and found it difficult to ask for help. This resulted in angry outbursts and conflicts with teachers and peers.
With advocacy support, (B) met with the head of the department to express her concerns and suggest solutions, such as receiving worksheets in smaller quantities, being granted passes to leave class when feeling overwhelmed, and other supportive measures.
Outcome: (B) said, “My attitude towards education and learning has changed. I passed maths, which I didn’t think I would. Now I’m in the higher set. My plan is to focus on my coursework to achieve my goal of becoming a paramedic.”
If you are a young person living in Sandwell or know of a young person, who is struggling with school or home-life circumstances, and could benefit from our support, please read more about our SAVE project and access further information for how to make a referral.