Ms Marissa Ryan:

In our view, a child’s best interests are served when the social worker, guardian ad litemand advocate work closely together. Our roles are complementary and do not replace each other. We do not try to duplicate what guardians ad litemdo, nor do they try to duplicate what advocates or social workers do. However, it depends on all three pillars of the system being present.

Many of our children and young people have guardians ad litemand work extremely well with them, which is very welcome; however, there are parts of their care journey in which they do not have a guardian ad litem, and that is where EPIC and independent advocates are very important. Sometimes but not always, the fact that a guardian ad litemhas been appointed by the High Court can be confusing for a child or young person. They might feel they need the additional layer of somebody who, in their view, works for them. This is how they view an advocate because they self-refer for one. That is the view of some of our children and young people. In this context, we believe it is really important to have all three pillars of child protection and welfare support – guardians ad litem, advocates and social workers – coming together.