PROVIDER FORUM BOSTON

13th October 2009

Advocacy in Lincolnshire

What is an Advocate?

• No single definition!• Someone who defends

or upholds a cause• Someone who

speaks on behalf of another person

• A person who pleads his client’s case in a court of law (Scotland)

Types of advocacy

• Formal or informal• Professional or voluntary• Citizen – long term relationships usually for

people with a learning disability • Provided by people who have used services• Statutory – advocacy required by law• Community – defending a community of interest

Issue Advocacy

Issue advocacy means;

• Helping a person say what they want to say and make their own decisions

• An independent source of representation

• Protection for freedom of speech and self –determination

What advocates do

• Listen to a person and their issues • Speak up when instructed by the person • Provide information to give an informed choice• Help negotiate a plan of action • Arrange meetings to support the person • Help the person challenge services if required• Empower and enable the person • Remain independent of statutory services

What advocates don’t do

• Impose their own views• Give advice• Replace a more appropriate service • Break confidentiality • Challenge decisions the person wants to make• Create an environment of dependency• Take the place of the person

1Do you know enough about advocacy?

Knowing about advocacy

What is available in Lincolnshire?

A confused picture:

• Local general services• Local specialist services• Statutory services• Grey areas!• National groups

Services Eligibility Provides

CALL Advocacy in Lincolnshire 01522 511114

For people using LCC services and those with mental health needs over the age of 65

One to one issue based, group and citizen advocacy providing advocacy across client group for adults including projects for migrant workers

Speaking Up01522 702555

Open to those using secondary MH services who are of working age (16-65) or over 65 on Section. IMHA from 1st April 2009

One-to-one issue based and group advocacy

Speaking Up – IMCA01522 702555

People who lack capacity who are facing a decision around serious medical treatment, accommodation or at risk of abuse

Provides Mental Capacity Act Advocacy for Lincolnshire and NE Lincolnshire

ICAS0845 650 0088

People who want to complain about NHS Care One-to-one visits, telephone support, advocacy with complaints

ShelterTel: 0844-515-1700

Open to all tenants and home owners Legal advice, assistance and advocacy to all tenants who have a housing related problem and homeowners who have mortgage arrears

HELP Open to people who have a learning disability Provides peer and group advocacy

Rethink For Carers who are on CPA and are aged 16-65 living in Lincolnshire

Support groups, training information one-to-one advice and support

Citizens Advice Bureau 08701 224422

Open to all who have contact with PHC, including staff. 2 days per week service

General information and advice, specialist debt and welfare benefits advice and education

Lincoln MIND01522 569065South Lincs MIND01476 402323

Need clarification of criteria – support people with MH problems, not just CPAOpen criteria

Advocacy and supportAdvice and support

Finding the right services

2If a user of your

service needed an advocate would you

know how and where to find one?

How is advocacy used now?

• CALL has about 730 referrals a year and on average provides advocacy for 650 people

• 60% of referrals are from Adult Care, 10% are self referrals. 40% of referrals are for older people

• Overall, half of all referrals relate to personal finance, benefit issues or debt (62% for older people)

• Only 20% relate to social care received or concern matters of personal choice. Of these a significant number are complex cases

Could advocacy be used more in your services?

3When might an advocate be useful in your services?

The next twelve months

Countywide review From now until the end of March - any comments or ideas will be welcome!

Putting People First Working with the PPF team to agree what advocacy will be needed

Mental Capacity and DOLs New legal requirement for advocacy from 1st April 2009

Safeguarding Advocacy needed in safeguarding cases

New service commissioned

One service delivering all types of advocacy

Getting the message across

Better information about advocacy on the County Council website

Leaflets and posters giving contacts for advocacy

Training materials for care staff

Awareness raising sessions on advocacy – workshops, meetings

Case studies of how advocacy has helped people in care services

Guidance for how to make a referral

4

What is your order of importance – 1-6?

Any other suggestions?.....................

Contact Details

Advocacy review, IMCA and IMHA contractsMick Skipworth – 01522 554205

Advocacy review and advocacy for people who lack mental capacityKaren Rodgers – 01522 554014

Questions

• Do you know enough about advocacy?

2. If a user of your service needed an advocate would you know how and where to find one?

3. When might an advocate be useful in your services?

2. How can we get the message across better?