Advocacy
Advocacy is independent support help someone state their wishes and opinions (or doing this on their behalf).
Instructed advocacy is used when someone can tell their advocate what they wish them to say on their behalf.
Non-instructed advocacy is used when someone can't their advocate what they wish them to say.
Independent advocacy
Voiceability provides independent advocacy in North Northamptonshire and liaises with our Adult Social Care Team.
Types of advocacy
Statutory
We must be able to provide independent advocacy for:
- Care Act Advocacy
- Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)
- NHS Complaints
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs)
- Relevant Persons Representative (RPR)
Non-statutory
If advocacy falls outside of the situations above, you may be able to get informal support from another organisation (e.g. Citizens Advice can support with financial, immigration and housing issues and PALS can support patients, families and carers).
| Type of advocacy | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Self-advocacy | When individuals represent and speak up for themselves |
| Informal advocacy | Family, friends or neighbours supporting an individual in having their views, wishes and feelings heard (which may include speaking on their behalf) |
| Collective advocacy | Involves groups of individuals with common experiences, being empowered to have a voice and influence change and promote social justice |
| Peer advocacy | One individual acting as an advocate for another who shares a common experience or background |
| Formal advocacy | May refer to the advocacy role of staff in health, social care and other settings where professionals need to consider the wishes and feelings of the individual and to help ensure that they are addressed properly |
| Independent advocacy | Professional, trained advocate working in a one-to-one partnership with an individual to ensure that their views are accurately conveyed, and their rights upheld. This might be for a single issue or multiple issues |
Other organisations
- Northamptonshire Mind - Mental Health Support
- Northamptonshire Carers Association - Being Heard: a self-advocacy guide for carers
- People-first
- Age UK Northamptonshire
- Deaf Connect
- Northamptonshire Association for the Blind
Last updated 12 December 2024