Speak out with and for children and families

Advocacy is organised activity focused on bringing about positive change to policy and practice.

Child advocacy speaks out on behalf of, and with, children. It increases public understanding about children’s issues and aims to change policy, practice and legislation to have a positive effect on children's lives.

Barnardos advocates for children because:

• Children are often without a voice on issues that affect them
• Children are politically disenfranchised
• Their needs and views are often secondary to those of adults
• Children are central to our nation's success today and in the future

Barnardos advocates with children by:

• Supporting children to voice their issues and concerns
• Seeking children's views and input on issues being advocated for
• Empowering children to be advocates on their own behalf