Advocacy Information and Support

What is Independent Advocacy?
How can an advocate help me?
What Practical Help can an advocate provide?
Types of advocacy
Find an advocate
Legislation
More information

What is Independent Advocacy?

Independent Advocacy is a way to help people have a stronger voice and to have as much control as possible over their own lives. An independent advocate can help a person they are supporting to gather information and think through their options and enable them to make their own informed choices. They will not make decisions for the person, but may speak on their behalf to help them express their views. Independent Advocacy can provide various forms of support to enable a person to make their own decisions and get their voice heard.

How can an advocate help me?

Older people may find themselves in situations where they feel their wishes and needs are not being taken into account. An independent advocate can help to make sure that they are listened to.

Carers may find that it can sometimes take all their time and energy to get what they want for the person they are caring for, leaving them with little for themselves. An advocate can support the carer to make sure their views are heard.

Janet cares for her husband, Phil, who has dementia. She found it difficult at times to get help such as additional hours of day care and occasional respite breaks. A friend told her about the local carers' advocacy service. Sue, an advocate, now goes to meetings with her and has helped her to ask for more support to care for Phil.

What practical help can an advocate provide?

Anyone with a 'mental disorder' (this covers Dementia and learning disability) has the right to access Independent Advocacy services which can help a person have their voice heard in a crisis situation such as a Mental Health Tribunal or in the longer term.

The first thing an advocate will do is listen to you and what you have to say about your situation. They will try to understand your situation from your point of view. The advocate can then:

help you to find things out
help you to consider the situation and possible options and support you to identify what it is you would like to happen
help you to write letters or make phone calls on your behalf
come to meetings with you and support you to be heard or, if you want them to, they can speak on your behalf.

Types of advocacy

There are a number of different types of advocacy services. These include professional advocacy, collective advocacy and citizen advocacy.

For further information, the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) has produced leaflets about the different types of advocacy:

SIAA - Independent Professional Advocacy

SIAA - Citizens Advocacy

SIAA - Collective/Group Advocacy

SIAA - Self Advocacy

SIAA - Peer Advocacy

SIAA - Non-Instructed Advocacy

Find an advocate

To find an advocacy organisation in Scotland, visit the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance Directory Page.

SIAA - Find an Advocate

Legislation

Different legislation gives people a right to access Independent Advocacy, for example the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act (2003) states that anyone with a mental health issue, a learning disability or dementia has the right to access Independent Advocacy. The Mental Health Act places a duty on local authorities and health boards to fund Independent Advocacy.

The Adults with Incapacity Act (2000), the Adult Support & Protection Act (2007) and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act (2004) also ensure that people have a right to Independent Advocacy under certain circumstances. The Patient Rights Act (2011) places a duty on health boards to inform people about Independent Advocacy.

Further information on legislation affecting the provision of community care and the needs and rights of Independent Advocacy organisations and the people which the organisation supports can be found on the following:

CIS - Right to advocacy

CIS - Legislation

SIAA - Legislation