PORTAL
Gloucestershire County Council Referral Portal
This Portal includes information on what you can expect from us as an organisation, including how to make a referral.
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Reconstruct is the provider for the following services for children and young people Gloucestershire Council Council cares for.
A little bit about us
Since 1990, Reconstruct has been a trusted provider of independent services to the social care sector, supporting vulnerable children, young people, adults, and families across the UK.
Reconstruct are the providers of the BeHeard Advocacy service for Gloucestershire children and young people and the provider of their Independent Visiting Service.
Advocacy Services
An advocate is independent to social services and is someone who provides support to children and young people in care, care leavers and children and young people who are subject to Child Protection proceedings.
At Reconstruct, our advocates provide Issue-Based Advocacy to support children and young people, with specific concerns or challenges that matter to them.
We work alongside individuals to help them understand their rights, explore their options, and make informed decisions. Our advocates ensure that their views, wishes, and feelings are clearly represented to those making decisions about their lives.
Issue-Based Advocacy can support with:
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Care planning, reviews, and placement issues
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Education concerns
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Contact with family and friends
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Complaints and concerns
Who is Eligible for this service?
The Advocacy Service will provide support and advocacy for children aged 6-18 years and care leavers up to aged 25 who are placed both in and out of the authority area in the following placement types:
✔ Looked after Children and Young People as well as privately fostered Children and Young People.
✔ Children and Young People up to the age of 25 moving on from care to adult life and who are entitled to a service under the Children Leaving Care Act 2000.
✔ Children and Young People aged 6 and over who are subject to a Child Protection Conference.
✔ Children and Young People in receipt of a Social Care service making a complaint about that Service.
✔ Children and Young People who are aged 6 to 25 years who are receiving support from Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) Disabled Children & Young People services.
✔Homeless 16-17 year olds, Young carers, and Children in need.
Making a Referral
Professionals from Gloucestershire County Council can refer to our service. Children and young people can self refer.
On receipt of the referral
Our coordinator will:
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Acknowledge receipt of the referral within 24 hours
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Discuss any risks identified in the referral or confirm any missing information
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Assign to an advocate where possible within 48 hours
If you would like to speak to our coordinator regarding your referral please email
advocacy.gloucestershire@reconstruct.co.uk
Independent Visiting
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a child or young person in care and develops a long-term, positive relationship with them. This may involve helping them explore new interests, develop skills and hobbies, or enjoy activities together such as going to the cinema, bowling, or simply taking a walk in the park.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in their local area who shares similar interests, helping to build a meaningful and lasting friendship.
The Independent Visitor spends approximately 2–4 hours each month with a child or young person this is usually at weekends. Reconstruct ask volunteers to commit for a minimum of two years to provide consistency and stability for the young person
Who is Eligible for this service?
Children and young people between the ages of 7 and 17 who are looked after by Gloucestershire County Council.
When a young person reaches the age of 18 they cease to be looked after. However, where there is an established relationship there should be the possibility of an independent visitor continuing his/her relationship with a young person once they cease to be looked after.
Making a Referral
Professionals from Gloucestershire County Council can refer to our service.
If you would like to speak to your coordinator regardingyour referral please email tracey.lynch@reconstruct.co.uk