Your rights

You have the right to be involved in all the decisions that will affect your life and this includes in meetings. 

Your PA will support you to attend meetings and have a voice in those meetings.  These are your plans and we want you to be there to tell us what you want to happen.

You have the right to be involved in all decisions that are made about you and your plans for leaving care. We know that sometimes you don’t feel comfortable to talk in settings where decisions are being made about your future.

This is where an advocate can help you. They are independent, which means that they are there for you and are not linked to Blackpool Council.

An advocate is…

An adult who will help you to get your wishes, opinions and views are heard and listened too. They are also a person who can help you to raise any concerns that about your care and the plans for your future; with the professionals working with you.

Speak to your PA and ask for the ‘other support we offer you’ booklet for more information

Freephone number: 0300 323 0251
Website: www.blackpooladvocacyhub.org

You have one and we want you to use it!!

There are lots of ways that you can have your say about your experiences and what you want for the future. If you are 12 to 18 you can join Justuz where you can have your say on how services for you are run.

Please contact:

Telephone: 01253 477536
Email: justuz@blackpool.co.uk
Website: www.justuzblackpool.co.uk

If you are over the age of 18 we are keen to make sure your voice is heard. You can do this through your personal advisor (PA) or you can join the Care Leavers Forum, Justuz Extra. The care leavers forum is a group of care experienced young people aged between 18 to 25 who meet on a regular basis to talk about the services that support them.

They work together to improve the services for care lavers and have a central role at the corporate parenting panel. It is a really good way to have your voice heard, meet new people and work together to shape the servicers that are there to help and support you, for example, what is on at The CORE and where we go for Christmas lunch.

You can attend the corporate parenting panel when it is right for you too. You can give your views on services for care leavers to the people who make decisions about young people in Blackpool. 

From the age of 18 you will have the right to vote and will need to register to be able to do this. Being able to vote means that you can have a say in what is happening in Blackpool but also what is happening across the country. Register to vote.

Registering to vote also means that it makes it easier to do other things like applying for housing, your passport or a bank account.

Blackpool's Youth Council now regularly meets at The CORE. Speak to your PA for more information.

You have the right to access your records that are held by children’s services.

Reading your records may be a positive experience, however, there may be information that you could find upsetting. Talk this through with your PA and others who support you. Your PA will offer you support if you want this when reading your records.

More information on your rights when accessing your records

Interested in shaping services for children and young people in Blackpool or want to have a voice about what is happening in Blackpool?

You can get involved with co-production.  Please ask you PA for more information.

You can join groups such as Blackpool Youth Council, Blackpool Youth Parliament, which now meets at the CORE.

You have the right to complain if you are not happy with the service you have received from Blackpool Council. However, you also have the right to tell us where you have had a positive experience. We would love to hear your compliments too.

Find out how to feedback 

Want to know more about your rights as a Care Leaver