Types of Advocacy

Case Advocacy 

This recognises that some people may require the support of an independent advocate during a major change in their life, eg death of a carer, or with a particular issue, eg accessing housing advice or making a complaint.  The short-term advocate is somebody who is not involved in the persons issues and offers them person-centered independent support.  The relationship would usually only last until the issue has been dealt with by the appropriate body. 

Citizen Advocacy 

Citizen advocacy is a one-to-one relationship between an unpaid advocate (volunteer) and their (advocacy) partner.  The emphasis is on a long-term relationship based on equality and on promoting human rights and challenging social exclusion.  Citizen advocacy is especially useful to people who have experienced, or are experiencing, long-term social exclusion. For more information see our 'Volunteers' section. 

Care Act (2014) Advocacy

Local authorities have a statutory duty to abide by the Care Act 2014 and involve people in any decisions made about them, their care and/or their support, which means they must arrange for an advocate to work with them if there is no appropriate individual to support them. Local authorities are required to help people express their wishes and feelings, support them in weighing up their options and assist them in making their own decisions. At IANE we assist the person to look at options and to be part of the decision making process.

DoLS

A manager of a hospital or a care home may decide it is necessary to deprive someone of their liberty if that person lacks capacity, provided it is in the person’s best interests. The assessments must agree that any deprivation of liberty is appropriate and in the persons best interests. The RPR is a further safeguard appointed after the assessments have taken place to review each assessment, meet regularly with the person concerned and review whether it remains appropriate for the deprivation of liberty to continue. 

Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) 

In operation since April 2009, It is a statutorily defined role that was introduced with the new Mental Health Act.  IMHAs should be involved when a person is sectioned under the Mental Health Act, under Guardianship or Supervised Community Treatment or under 18 and being considered for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).  Informal patients may also receive IMHA support if they are being considered for serious surgery, such as neurosurgery. 

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) 

In operation since 2007, it is a statutorily defined role that was introduced with the Mental Capacity Act.  IMCAs should be involved in situations where a person is considered not to have the capacity to make a particular decision and is 'unbefriended'.  The situations in which the IMCA service is applicable are specifically defined. Since April 2009, IMCAs should also be involved when Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are registered.

Refugee & Asylum Seekers Project

Our English and Farsi speaking advocate has worked on this project since its inception eleven years ago. As demand for the project has grown significantly over the years so have the dynamics of the project. The word of mouth amongst service users was, and remains, our primary method for raising the awareness around Refugee and Asylum Seekers advocacy and how it can support individuals. Many of the people we support are socially isolated, marginalised and left with little or no support to deal with overwhelming and debilitating issues. 

Young People in Transition Project

This project is now well established in Beacon Hill, Woodlawn and Tyne Met, where we currently work with 30 young people. This work is invaluable as it ensures the voices and opinions of young people are heard and acted upon, especially in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews. An EHC Plan is a legal document, prepared following a formal assessment by the local authority,  detailing the special educational needs that a young person has and the special educational provisions that must be provided by the local authority to meet those special educational needs. The Children and Families Act 2014 requires the local authority to review the ECH plan once a year whilst the young person continues in education (up to age 25) and an EHC plan remains in place.  Advocacy has continued to ensure that young people’s views are taken seriously and listened to by everyone who is involved in their care, education and future.