East Ayrshire Advocacy Services

Welcome to the Children’s Hearing Service.
Our mission is to support children and young people to have their views heard at meetings where decisions are made about their lives.

For children and young people aged 5-18 who are involved in the Children’s Hearing System. Children and young people who are subject to cross-border deprivation of liberty (DOL) order placements can also access the service.
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Meet our Children's Hearing Advocacy Team
Nikki Speirs
Children’s Advocacy Worker

I believe independent advocacy is important for children and young people because they have a right to be fully involved and be able to challenge decisions being made about their lives and future. Independent advocacy empowers young people and I’m proud that I’m able to be part of that journey.

Private: Vivien Lochhead
Children’s Advocacy Worker

I am very proud to be an advocate for children and I am passionate about what I do. Children’s advocacy is important to me because it ensures that each and every young person’s wishes and views are listened too and fully considered when important decisions are being made about their lives. I promote and protect children’s rights and help them feel included in the decisions being made. Every child’s voice deserves to be heard, I’m here to make that happen.

How do we support children and young people?
  • Support to voice views and wishes at Children Hearings 
  • Explain the process of Children’s Hearings to the child or young person
  • Make the process easy to understand
  • Ensure the child’s safety and rights are respected throughout Children’s Hearing process
  • Respect confidentiality unless there are extreme circumstances when we may have to speak to someone else in order to protect your safety or that of someone else. We would not do this without telling you.
  • Make the children’s hearing about the child, the child’s views and how they feel 
  • Gather their views on:

  – who they want to see
  – where they want to stay
  – what they do want 
  – and what they don’t want in their lives

  • Communicate and liase with social work, schools, parents, carers, professionals and family etc
  • Children can request virtual or in-person meetings. Advocates can meet the child in school, home or where the child feels comfortable

Children and young people have the right to:

  • have a say in their lives
  • be safe 
  • be empowered
  • participate to a level they wish 
  • feel valued 
  • be respected 
  • be focused on and included
  • have their voices heard 
  • feel listened to