What is advocacy
Who Can Access Advocacy?
Who can make an Advocacy referral?
Types of Advocacy
What Is Advocacy?
Advocacy is about supporting people to speak up, understand their rights, and take part in decisions that affect their lives. Advocates amplify a person’s wishes, views, and feelings. They help ensure individuals are listened to and treated fairly when decisions are being made about their care, health, or wellbeing.
Advocacy can be especially important for people who may find it difficult to express their views, have difficulty understanding complex information or who do not have family or friends able to support them.
An Independent Advocates are always on your side – they act in the interests of the person they are supporting. They do not work for the organisations making decisions about a person’s care or treatment. This helps ensure that the advocate focus entirely on supporting the individual’s views and protecting their rights.
Who Can Access Advocacy?
Eligibility depends on the type of advocacy service required. Advocacy may be available for people who:
- Have difficulty understanding information about their care or support
- Have difficulty communicating their views & wishes
- Do not have family or friends able to support them
- Are involved in specific health or social care decisions
- Are subject to legal or statutory processes
- Feel they are not being listened to
Who can make an Advocacy referral?
Referrals can be made by health and social care professionals, and sometimes by the person themselves, depending on the type of advocacy you are looking for. You can find out more about this on our professionals and members of the public pages. You can check what services we provide in your area on our in your area page.
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
Supporting people who lack capacity and have no appropriate person to represent them when specific important decisions need to be made.
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Independent Care Act Advocacy (ICAA)
Supporting individuals to be involved in care and support functions such as Care Reviews or Planning, or through certain safeguarding processes under the Care Act 2014.
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR)
Representing and supporting individuals who are subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
Supporting people subject to certain processes or restrictions the Mental Health Act to understand their rights and participate in decisions about their treatment.
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA)
Helping individuals raise concerns or complaints about their care or treatment under NHS services.
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Community Advocacy
Providing advocacy support for vulnerable individuals who need help to navigate services and have their voices heard.
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Rule 1.2 Representatives
Supporting individuals involved in Court of Protection proceedings and placed under a Community Deprivation of Liberty (CoPDoL) order.
