updated statutory guidance and accompanying National Standards on advocacy services for children and young people that were published last week.

The documents fulfil a commitment in the IICSA update and take account of an earlier consultation with stakeholders. As a result, there is:

• a sharper emphasis threaded through the documents on putting the voices and needs of children and young people at the heart of advocacy services
• stronger messaging on the statutory entitlement to advocacy and making sure that children and young people are reminded regularly of their right on an ongoing basis
• strengthened requirements on advocacy and safeguarding, including a new National Standard on non-instructed advocacy.