Includes bibliography and index.

1. Charting the development of advocacy for children and young people -- 2. Childhood, children's rights and advocacy -- 3. practice of advocacy: Participation, voice and resistance -- 4. What is advocacy and who defines it? -- 5. Forms of advocacy -- 6. Models for the provision of advocacy -- 7. Advocacy as a tool for anti-oppressive practice -- 8. way forward -- optimism and notes of caution.

While advocacy now has a higher profile within health, welfare and education services, the authors argue for critical engagement with the dilemmas and paradoxes it continues to present. More traditional ways of advocacy practice are evaluated alongside newer approaches such as non-instructed advocacy and e-advocacy. Key issues explored include: An historical overview of advocacy within professional practiceThe development of independent advocacyThe contested nature of advocacyChildren and young people's participationForms and models for the provision of advocacyThe relationship between advocacy and anti-oppressive practice The authors draw on their own research and the experiences of young people, advocates and professionals working with children and young people to examine key messages and debates that have emerged. Case examples are used to illustrate advocacy dilemmas in a range of settings. Understanding Advocacy for Children and Young People is an essential text for advocates and professionals working with children and young people. It is also suitable as a key resource for health and social care practitioners, educators, commissioners and policy makers.