Advocacy

Advocacy

Posted on March 5, 2013. Filed under: Adult's Services, Advocacy |

Definition

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 schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.”  Action 4 Advocacy

Policies and legislation

  • Health and Social Care Act 2001 (Section 12) – places a duty on the Secretary of State to arrange for the provision of independent advocacy services, which should be “… independent of any person who is the subject of a relevant complaint or who is involved or who is investigating such a complaint…” It also provides for the Secretary of State to make payments to set up such arrangements.
  • Human Rights Act 1998 – enables individuals to pursue an action under the European Convention on Human Rights. Advocacy can support a person through this process.
  • Children Act 1989 (Section 26A and amended in 2004) – imposes on local authorities the duty to make arrangements for the provision of advocacy services for children and young people making or intending to make representations (including complaints).
  • The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – the Disability Rights Commission will assist individuals to uphold their rights as set out in the Act.
  • The Mental Health Act 2007 – Section 130 of this Act, relating to advocacy provision, came into force in October 2008 in Wales, and Aprile 2009 in England. The Act introduces a statutory framework for an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) to be made available to anyone who is being treated under the powers of the Mental Heatlh Act. The Department of Health is committed to improving services for detained patients by ensuring that patients have access to high quality advocacy support.

Useful links

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