What is advocacy?
Adults receiving care may only sometimes receive all the opportunities and choices they would like and are not fully involved in their care decisions. Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes and help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called your advocate.
Ensuring the safety and best interests of adults with disabilities
We all have experienced the feeling of being ignored, bypassed or not listened to in some way. It can feel frustrating and sometimes infuriating when a person assumes they know what’s best for you without consulting or listening to your point of view. To adults with disabilities, this is much more than that- being ignored by those caring for them can affect their mental well-being, physical health, and life.
Adults with disabilities can often be misunderstood and mistreated, resulting in unmet needs, requirements, and neglect. When facing an issue, all opportunities may not be explored, and the primary person involved is not considered. So how can this be prevented? Enter, advocacy!
Advocacy prevents neglect
CQC, out of sight, out of mind, reported the reality of what goes on behind closed doors in some care homes in the UK. At 3 trees, we work tirelessly to ensure our service users never have to experience the neglect and horrific experiences reported by CQC. Instances such as restraints, restrictive practices, long term segregation were just a few of the findings at select Care homes in the UK. It is important to note that the reports from CQC only reflect some care homes in the UK and do not diminish the incredible, dedicated work social care workers do daily.
An advocate will
- Listen to your concerns.
- Help explore your options and rights (without pressuring you)
- Provide information to help you make informed decisions
- Help you contact relevant people or contact them on your behalf
- Accompany you and support you in meetings or appointments.
An advocate will not
- Offer their personal opinion on your circumstances
- Solve problems and make your decisions for yourself. Solve problems and make decisions for you
- Make their own judgements of you
Having your advocate present in meetings
The support of an advocate is often particularly useful in meetings when you might not feel confident in expressing yourself. They can:
- Support you in asking all the questions you want to ask
- Make sure all the points you want covered are included in the meeting
- Explain your options to you without giving their opinion
- Help keep you safe during the meeting – for example, if you find the discussion upsetting, your advocate can ask for a break until you can continue.
How can I access an advocate?
Advocacy services are available nationwide. Reaching your local council is the best place to start your search. If you have a Care Coordinator from your local social services, healthcare or homecare team, they can help you access independent advocacy. Other options include:
- Contact social care services at your local council and ask about advocacy services. Find your local social care services.
- Contact your local Age UK to see if they have advocates in your area. Visit Age UK online or call 0800 055 6112.
- The Advocacy People gives advocacy support. Call 0330 440 9000 for advice or text PEOPLE to 80800, and someone will get back to you.
- VoiceAbility gives advocacy support. Call their helpline on 0300 303 1660 for advice, or use VoiceAbility’s online referral form.
- POhWER is a charity that helps people be involved in decisions about their care. Call POhWER’s support centre on 0300 456 2370 for advice.
Advocacy saves lives
When J first moved to one of our supported living flats several years ago, they were not doing well. J’s prior experience had taken its toll on them. It was becoming increasingly unsafe where J lived previously, so the transition to their new home didn’t give them much time to adjust. J was assessed to lack capacity in most areas of their life. Unfortunately, there were limited health records to refer to that could have offered vital information. J had a great advocate who helped them, and the best interest team decided that J should have an investigative procedure – Read J’s story.
Our Directing Manager, Yvonne Foster, is currently doing her advocacy training:
“It is vital to give those we support a voice. Where a person lacks capacity, an independent advocate can work alongside the person receiving services and ensure they are represented well in any decisions in their best interest. An advocate can also support a person to make informed decisions if they struggle to understand.”
