I'm disappointed by the Government's response. It's very clear that there are times when case friends of children and young people are not parents, and there are also times when the views of parents will conflict sometimes with the views of a case friend, who may have significant influence over a child. And I think, because of that tension, potentially, in the system, it's really important, actually, that parents have the opportunity to have some direct access to independent advocacy services. At the moment, on the Bill, you've suggested that it might add complexity to the Bill in the provision of independent advocacy services. I just can't see that at all. On the one hand, you're saying it adds complexity and on the other hand you're saying that many of the case friends will be parents anyway, already accessing some support through the independent advocacy services that the local authorities will be required to provide. Parents are entitled to information and advice. Why shouldn't they be entitled to advocacy services as well? It doesn't seem to be right that parents are excluded from one part but included in another. 

So, for consistency's sake, and to ensure that parents have the opportunity also to challenge the system, I think it's essential that parents on the face of the Bill have a right to access these independent advocacy services so that they can challenge the system when they might need to to ensure that their child or young person is getting the services that they need. So, I urge people to support the amendments.