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Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

We have great sympathy with these amendments and are most grateful to the Children’s Society and Voice for their time and patient explanations. We recognise the concern of children and young people that they fail to be heard when major decisions affecting their care are discussed. As the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, said, this leads to the wrong presumptions being made and to young people being intimidated. The idea of having an independent advocate to support a child’s individual case in the review of their care plan is certainly sound. The Children’s Society has worked out that this will cost in the region of £3 million. As it would, for us, be an uncosted spending commitment, we are unable to support the amendment. The Children’s Society and Voice understand our position. I hope that we will be able to look at this as part of our future policy work, but in the mean time I hope that the Minister will look favourably on what is an important amendment.