Advocacy and you
Wherever a therapeutic relationship exists between a service receiver and carer, appropriate consideration should be given to accessing advocacy services for both the service receiver and the carer.
Often advocacy is needed either jointly or by the carer on behalf of their loved one, or for the carers own needs as a result of the loved one’s situation.
Advocacy is about making sure that someone gets their views heard. Most people are able to speak up for themselves, but sometimes we all need some help.
An advocate does not tell you what they would do: they help you to decide what you want. Advocates respect your views, work together with you and do not judge your choices.
You can access different types of advocacy support, this may depend on where you live or what you need help with. This page and advocacy leaflet explains who you can contact to get the right help.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Some people who experience mental health problems are detained under the Mental Health Act. People who are sectioned can use the services of a specialist advocate called an IMHA (Independent Mental Health Advocate). The IMHA service is free and every area has to provide the service. Information on how to contact an IMHA should be given to you if you are sectioned, admitted or accepted into guardianship or placed on a community treatment order.
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy
Some people may lack the capacity to take decisions in certain specific, important situations. They may also be particularly vulnerable because they have no close relative or friends, or any other person to protect their interests. Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) can support and represent people in this situation. They look at the way particular decisions are being made but do not make the decisions on someone’s behalf.
The IMCA service also provide representatives as part of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLs) requirements which ensure that someone is only deprived of their liberty when it is in their best interest.
For help with advocacy if you live in the County of Derbyshire, contact Cloverleaf Advocacy on 01924 454875 or email referrals@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk.
For help with Advocacy in you live in Derby City contact Disability Direct on 01332 299449 or email info@disabilitydirect.com.
NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy
If you wish to make a complaint about an NHS funded service, either regarding your own treatment or that of a family member, child or carer then you can use the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service. This service is free and confidential and it can help you understand your rights, assist with complaints, applications and support people at meetings.
If you live in Derby City you can contact Disability Direct:
- Telephone: 01332 299449
- Relay UK: 18001 01332 299449
- Email: info@disabilitydirect.com
- Website: disabilitydirect.com/dd-advocacy/
If you live in Derbyshire County you can contact Cloverleaf:
- Telephone: 01924 454875
- Email: referrals@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk
- Website: cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk
You can also contact the following services for help and support
Action Deafness:
- Telephone: 0116 253 3200
- Text number: 07947 714 040
- Email: adcommunications@actiondeafness.org.uk
- Website: actiondeafness.org.uk/en
Communication Unlimited:
- Telephone: 01332 369920
- Text number: 07812 300 280
- Email: bookings@cu-bsl.co.uk
- Website: cu-bsl.co.uk
British Deaf Association:
- Email: bda@bda.org.uk
- Website: bda.org.uk
Care Act Advocacy
Advocacy rights under the Care Act 2014
In April 2015 the Care Act became law. This places a new requirement on local authorities with statutory responsibility for social care. The act requires local authorities to ensure that people are fully involved in their assessments, reviews and the development of their support plans, safeguarding enquiries and reviews. If someone is likely to have ‘substantial difficulty’ in being involved, and if they do not have an ‘appropriate person’ to support and represent them, then the local authority has a duty to arrange independent advocacy.
Non-statutory advocacy
Some people may be eligible for support from an advocate for other issues that are affecting their daily lives, such as debt, housing and accessing public services.
If you live in Derbyshire contact Derbyshire Independent Community Advocacy Service on 01332 623732 or email enquiries@derbyshireindependentcommunityadvocacy.org.uk.
If you live in Derby City you can contact Disability Direct on 01332 299 449 or email info@disabilitydirect.com
