hildren and young people as individuals; and ● advocates should ensure that children and young people can understand what is happening to them, can make their views known and, where possible, exercise choice when decisions about them are being made. 2.6 An advocacy service must ensure that independent advocates provide appropriate assistance to the child, taking into account their age, means of communication, language, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, health or disability. The advocate, when representing a child or young person, should be able to communicate effectively in a way the child is happy with. ENABLING CHILDREN TO ACCESS ADVOCACY SERVICES 2.7 Many children and young people describe complaints as problems not being sorted out. The emphasis of this guidance is on providing help and assistance and ensuring that independent advocacy is available quickly when requested. 2.8 Regulation 4 says that where a local authority receives from a child or young person representations made under section 24D or section 26 of the Children Act 1989, they must provide him or her with information about advocacy services and offer him or her help in obtaining an advocate. They must provide the same information and help where they become aware that a child or young person intends to make representations under section 24D or section 26. When a child or young person says that a complaint is about to be made, the authority should ensure that help and assistance is offered and given if a child or young person would like an advocate to speak for them. 2.9 Some children and young people may already have an advocate before they reach the stage of a complaint. Responses to consultation indicated that the vast majority of concerns and problems that children share with advocates are re