dependence of advocacy services 22 Children’s Rights Services providing advocacy in the context of complaints 22 What is NOT appropriate? 22 Conflicts of interest for advocacy services 22 Table 2: Independent advocacy services – case studies 23 5. Monitoring Advocacy Services 25 Introduction 25 Annual reports 25 What should the annual report include about advocacy? 25 Measuring satisfaction with services 26 6. Information Sharing and Confidentiality 27 Introduction 27 Key principles – information sharing 27 Confidentiality and safeguarding children 27 What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 28 Annex A National Standards for the Provision of Children’s Advocacy Services 29 Annex B Table 3: Other Legislation Relating to Advocacy 30 Enclosure: The Advocacy Services and Representations Procedure (Children) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 6 Essential Information 1. SUMMARY Section 26A of the Children Act 1989 extends to England and Wales, but this guidance and the associated Regulations apply to England only. 2. IMPACT ON LOCAL AUTHORITIES Section 26A of the Children Act 1989 was inserted by section 119 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. This section, the Advocacy Services and Representations Procedure (Children)(Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/719) and this guidance impose new duties on local authorities in respect of the provision of advocacy services. Local authorities have received through the Quality Protects special grant a substantial investment of funds to secure the development of advocacy, children’s rights services and initiatives to improve the complaints process for children. Although the Quality Protects grant ended in March 2004, the increases in children’s services spending under the grant and under the Children Leaving Care grant will c