Advocacy and advice
Help to speak up, understand your rights, and make informed decisions.
Get support to speak up and understand your rights
As you grow older, you’ll make more decisions about your education, health, and support. You don’t have to do this alone. There are services in Oxfordshire that help make sure your voice is heard and your rights are respected.
What advocacy means
Advocacy is about speaking up for yourself or having someone help you speak up.
Self-advocacy
You are the expert on your own life. You can:
- say what you want in meetings (like EHCP reviews)
- share your views in writing, drawings or videos
- ask questions and make choices
From age 16, professionals must talk to you directly about your support.
Independent advocacy
If you find it hard to speak up, an advocate can help. They:
- support you in meetings
- help you understand your rights
- speak on your behalf if needed
Advocacy services
- Oxfordshire Advocacy Services
- POhWER – advocacy for people with disabilities
- National Youth Advocacy Service – advocacy for young people in care or with SEND
Advice and information services
These services help you understand education, health, social care and benefits.
- Oxfordshire support services and helpline
- IPSEA – legal advice on education rights
- Contact – advice for families and young people with disabilities
- Council for Disabled Children – resources, podcasts and youth voice projects
Your rights at 16 and 18
At 16 you can make your own decisions about things like medical treatment and EHCPs.
At 18 you are a legal adult. You can:
- vote
- sign contracts
- make decisions about your health, money and education
You can still involve your parents or carers if you want to, that’s your choice.
If you find decisions hard, the Mental Capacity Act protects your rights and helps make sure you’re involved as much as possible.
- Easy Read Guide to the Mental Capacity Act
- OxFSN – Oxfordshire Family Support Network – support for people with learning disabilities and their families
Have your say in the community
You can help shape services by joining:
- youth councils
- SEND youth forums
- school or college student councils
These groups help you share your views and make a difference.