Giving people a voice
Independent Advocacy
Supporting the interests of people who may find it difficult to be heard or speak out for themselves, from April 1st 2015 the Care Act makes provision for the extended use of Independent Advocates in social care assessments, reviews and safeguarding investigations.
Giving a voice to adults who need support through the care assessment, planning and safeguarding processes, our trained advocates come from a variety of backgrounds, including social work, health care and social care. Many have direct personal experience of caring for friends and family too.
Trained in their role under the Care Act, our advocates are supported by a professional management and support team and are vetted through the DBS system as well as extensive interview, selection and reference checking.
Social Works’ advocacy service is working towards achieving the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark and has adopted the QPM Code of Practice at the heart of it’s service.
Our advocates are all involved in providing ‘directed advocacy’, which involves:
- Gathering and presenting up to date and accurate information to help clients make informed choices but NOT giving advice.
- Listening to clients and discussing options but NOT imposing views or opinions.
- Channelling clients wishes, views and requested instruction, NOT filtering them e.g. due to personal views that the client will not achieve what they wish.
- Talking to and corresponding with family members or other professionals with the client’s permission but NOT making decisions or choices on behalf of clients.
- Representing the client’s expressed views and wishes but NOT taking action independently of the client unless they have clearly instructed this.
- Agreeing a plan of action and identifying initial outcomes and timescales with clients but NOT being prescriptive or inflexible.
- Ensuring the person’s fundamental human rights are respected and upheld at all times.
- Challenging health, social care or third sector service providers and decision makers in order to promote a person-centred approach.
