Advocacy services can help you find someone who can accompany you in assessments, voice your concerns, assist and help with you with filling in your forms. The main goal of advocacy services, is to help any issues, confusions or complications that come along with the before mentioned tasks.
Advocates can help you:
Advocacy services are useful, if you find it difficult to understand your care and support or express yourself, advocates can act as spokespersons for you. They ensure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld.
- Understand the care and support process
- Communicate your feelings about your care
- Make decisions
- Challenge care and support decisions you disagree with
- Stand up for your rights
Advocates can write letters, attend meetings with you, and support you during assessments, care planning, safeguarding, and reviews. Advocates are independent of social services and the NHS.
Local council assistance
Your local council must provide an advocate if you have no family or friends to help, and you struggle with:
- Understanding and remembering information
- Communicating your views
- Weighing the pros and cons of options
Please be aware paid carers cannot act as advocates.
Obtaining an advocate
- Contact your local council’s social care services and inquire about advocacy services.
- POhWER (0300 456 2370) is a charity that helps people be involved in care decisions.
- The Advocacy People (0330 440 9000 or text PEOPLE to 80800) provides advocacy support.
- VoiceAbility (0300 303 1660 or online referral form) offers advocacy support.
- Contact your local Age UK to see if they have advocates in your area (0800 055 6112).