e in, without this having to be framed first as a specific complaint. 1.2 The guidance is designed for children’s services leads, team managers, complaints officers, practitioners, advocates and children’s rights officers. This guidance is for local authorities and should be read in conjunction with: ● The National Standards for the Provision of Children’s Advocacy Services, summarised at Annex A and ● The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes, Residential Schools and Fostering Services under the Care Standards Act 2000. 1.3 Advocacy is about speaking up for children and young people and ensuring their views and wishes are heard and acted upon by decision-makers. This guidance builds on the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Every Child Matters: Next Steps which puts children’s views and wishes at the forefront of the decision-making process. 1.4 The Adoption and Children Act 2002 received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002. Amongst other provisions, it amended the Children Act 1989 by inserting into it a new section 26A which imposes on local authorities the duty to make arrangements for the provision of advocacy services for care leavers making or intending to make representations under section 24D of the Children Act and for children making or intending to make a representations under section 26. When a child or young person articulates that 8 a concern or problem is not being resolved and a complaint is likely to be made, local authorities should ensure that help and assistance is given if children or young people would like an advocate to speak for them. 1.5 This guidance applies to looked after children, to children who are not looked after but are in need, and to young people leaving care. 1.6 Advocacy services will have to