leavers. The service is provided via a service level agreement by the NSPCC. Individual advocacy is provided by the children’s rights officer who may be contacted directly by young people or via the Department’s complaints section. The service has two main strands: 1. the provision of advocates for young people making complaints and representations; and 2. development work with young people, officers and elected members to promote the participation of young people in service improvement and scrutiny. Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Children, Schools and Families commissions Voice for the Child in Care to provide services to Hertfordshire’s looked after children and care leavers. The service incorporates individual advocacy on a one to one basis; a visiting advocacy service to the county’s residential children’s homes; support to group work with looked after children and training for staff. Alternative advocacy supports are available and encouraged through the Youth Service, Connexions and POWhER which is the county’s supported independent advocacy service for young people aged 16 plus. Guidance on Providing Effective Advocacy Services for Children and Young People Making a Complaint under the Children Act 1989 23 Gloucestershire Advocacy Project for looked after children Gloucestershire Independent Advocacy Network Team (GIANT) is a two year project that will run until 31 September 2005. It is an in house project for two years in order to: ● build up a clear picture of demand; ● develop practice and procedures; ● establish a Management Board; ● operate for at least a full year, then review; and ● determine the longer term position for advocacy provision from October 2005. The Advocacy Co-ordinator provides some direct advocacy service as well as recruiting and managing sess