What is Independent Advocacy?
What is “independent advocacy“?
The Advocacy Code of Practice says:
‘Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy providers work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.’
Independent advocacy supports a person to have a voice. Put simply, to help that person say what they want to say to the people they want to say it to.
So, an independent advocate should not seek to influence that person, advise them, or make any judgements about what is ‘best’ for them. Their independent advocacy role is to be at the side of any individual and support their views from their unique perspectives. The advocate must be skilled in recognising what is important to that person and finding ways to help them express their preferences, wishes, needs, and wants.
An advocate may work with clients who lack capacity for certain decisions or have ‘substantial difficulty’ in understanding information. The advocate will have to be skilled in using methods which help them identify the person’s wishes, feelings and views based on the information available.
They must always be led by the person they support, and not let themselves be influenced by their own viewpoints or personal bias. They should not act independently of their client or withhold information.
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The role will involve effective communication and providing information to the person they support relevant to the person’s situation and decisions to be made.
An advocate must have a good understanding of relevant legislation which may impact on their client. An independent advocate must be able to provide details of their rights and options under the law, or signpost them to others who can give that detailed information.
Fundamental to the role is the independence of the advocate, ensuring throughout the relationship that they are free from any conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to person centred support.
They must always be led by An independent advocate will support the person to consider their options, make their own decisions and be involved in the process.
There are a range of ‘statutory roles’ for independent advocates created by legislation and obliging local authorities to set up and fund advocacy services in their area. This would include Care Act Advocates, Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, and Independent Mental Health Advocates.
In addition, many advocates will work in more generic roles providing support on a wide range of social care issues in their community.
The aim of independent advocacy is to empower their client. It is not to de-skill by doing everything for them, but look for opportunities to improve their skills, confidence and esteem. In this way the client may be better equipped to deal with similar situations once the advocacy relationship has ended.