Service boundaries
What we can do, what we can't, and what remains your responsibility.
We can
- Explain correspondence and processes in plain English.
- Organise evidence and chronology.
- Help define the outcome and questions.
- Draft/review correspondence, requests and complaints.
- Help prepare for meetings and, where agreed in advance, attend relevant meetings with you.
- Communicate with services where properly authorised.
- Track responses and appropriate escalation routes.
We cannot
- Act as your solicitor or conduct litigation.
- Provide clinical diagnosis or treatment advice.
- Replace statutory safeguarding services, a social worker or the meeting chair.
- Guarantee that we will be permitted to attend a particular meeting.
- Act as the child's independent advocate while we are supporting the parent.
- Guarantee any assessment, placement, funding or complaint outcome.
- Fabricate or exaggerate evidence.
- Accept every case regardless of capacity or conflict.
Where appropriate, IYC may support a parent at Early Help reviews, Child in Need reviews, Child Protection Conferences and core groups. Attendance is subject to the arrangements for that meeting and must be agreed with the chair or lead professional. Read more about Early Help & meeting support.
Your responsibilities
- Give us accurate information to the best of your knowledge.
- Tell us promptly about important deadlines or new decisions.
- Make the significant parenting/legal decisions unless a different lawful arrangement applies.
- Keep copies of key correspondence and documents.
- Tell us if you withdraw authority or no longer want support.
You remain responsible for statutory, complaint, appeal and court deadlines unless In Your Corner has expressly confirmed in writing that we have agreed to take responsibility for a specific action. The Case Deadline & Decision Tracker can help keep each date and its source visible.
Case closure
A case may close because the agreed issue is resolved, another service is more appropriate, there is no further proportionate advocacy action, capacity/conflict makes continued support unsafe, authority is withdrawn or communication breaks down beyond what can reasonably be adjusted.