 with the local authority’s arrangements for responding promptly to complaints and securing effective advocacy for care leavers whenever they indicate that they are considering making a complaint, or if they suggest that they might like help to make representations to their responsible authority about the quality of the leaving care service that they have received. Advocacy offers young people empowerment, makes sure that their rights are respected and that their views and wishes are properly considered and reflected in decision making about their own lives. Services should take a pro-active role in identifying whether young people would benefit from this important source of support. 9.4. Complaints procedures should be devised and operated in the wider context of encouraging all looked after children and care leavers to speak out and encouraging decision-makers to hear their views. 34 SI 2006/1738 35 Get it Sorted: Providing Effective Advocacy Services for Children and Young People Making a Complaint under the Children Act 1989 published in 2004 as statutory guidance to The Advocacy Services and Representations Procedure (Children) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 requires that, whenever necessary, young people should be offered assistance from an independent advocate so that they have the right support to make representations to their responsible authority. 36 Children's social care: getting the best from complaints (2006) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-getting-the-best-from-complaints 86 Fourteen day informal resolution stage 9.5. Where a young person receiving leaving care support makes a complaint, the responsible authority must put it into writing and submit it to their complaints officer. They must then try to reach an acceptable sol