Following on from the concessions we achieved through the lobbying on the Children and YP Act , the DCSF recently issued a tender to investigate the skills needed by IRO's to communicate with children with complex communication needs. The tender also required an analysis of the extent to which IRO's have these skills and how they can be upskilled and/or supported by advocacy or other support services to ensure that children’s views are heard.

The Children's Society have just learnt that we have won the tender and following further discussion with officials it is clear we have the opportunity as part of the work to inform the development of the relevant section of the revised IRO guidance which is following the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. The work has to be completed by the end of July to tie in with the progression of the new guidance which the DCSF envisage being out for consultation in September. We are progressing the work in three strands:

* undertaking background research, a small scale survey and a series of 3 national stakeholder consultation events with Independent Advocates and Independent Reviewing Officers[IROs] and other interested parties

* providing an initial draft of a section of the new IRO guidance that relates to how IRO's involve disabled children and in what circumstances they may need to call upon advocacy services to support disabled children in planning and review meetings.

* consulting with disabled young people on the new IRO guidance when it is published in draft form in September 2009.

We`are really keen to involve organisations delivering advocacy services and with this in mind are hoping you and/ or advocates in your organisation will be able to attend at least one of three stakeholder meetings we have set up. We are hoping to have a mix of IRO's and advocates at these meetings.

The dates and venues for the three meetings are set out below. All three meetings will be in the morning and will finish with lunch.

London: Monday 15th June venue : NCVO offices Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL [ short walk from Kings Cross]

North : Friday 19th June venue: The Children's Society PACT Project, 18, George Street, York , YO1 9QB [short walk from York station]

Midlands: Thursday 25th June venue: Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham , B5 6DR [ short walk from Birmingham New Street]

We will send more information , exact timings and directions to each of the venues to those who are able to attend .

We have about 20 places for each meeting so do let me know as soon as possible if you or a colleague are able to be there.

Regards

Chris

Chris Osborne,
Policy Adviser

The Children's Society 14,York Road, Riccall, North Yorkshire, Y019 6QG
Tel: 01757249887 or 02078414400 ext 5102
Mobile: 07900 180200
Email:christine.osborne@childrenssociety.org.uk
www.childrenssociety.org.uk/policy

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