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An introduction to advocacy
Advocacy can make an enormous difference to people’s lives. But without a greater understanding of what it is, both service providers and service users may be missing out on its potential benefits.
In simple terms, advocacy is about having someone on your side, a ‘person who supports or speaks in your favour’ (according to the dictionary). Ideally it should be a free, independent and confidential service easily accessible to those who most need it, when they need it – which could be in a one-off crisis or over the course of their whole lives.
This is a very specific role, to provide support to an individual to ensure they are treated fairly, their voice is heard, they get what they’re entitled to and maintain some control over their lives. The Beth Johnson Foundation, an early advocacy pioneer, is adamant that advocates are quite different from counsellors, therapists, benefit advice workers, social workers, befrienders or interpreters.
The people who benefit most from advocacy are those who have difficulty speaking up for themselves. They may have mental health problems or learning disabilities, or be facing a time of uncertainty, conflict or change (like being diagnosed with dementia). They may be unable to access relevant information or lack family and friends who can assist them appropriately.
Research by the Older People’s Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL),The voice that wasn’t speaking (2006), found that what was most valued by individuals was their advocate’s ability to get to the root of problems and act as a sounding board for possible actions. Advocates stopped older people feeling isolated and boosted their confidence to make decisions and take control of their lives.
There seem few, if any, arguments against the concept of advocacy, and its potential value has been highlighted in various policies, guidance and inquiries over the years, including the 2001 Valuing People strategy and the national minimum standards for care homes. Just last year the Law Commission’s report on adult social care called for disabled people’s legal right to advocacy to be brought up to date and implemented effectively.
Access to an independent advocate could make a massive difference in instances of abuse, such as Winterbourne View, argues OPAAL, but there aren’t enough advocates to go round, and provision is very hit and miss. According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 2009 State of Care report, local councils in England have spent more money in this area each year since 2004, but further improvement
is needed.
OPAAL has called on the Government to ensure that active independent advocacy is available in all care settings, and to encourage all care providers, whether public, voluntary or private, to commission independent advocacy to meet the needs of their service users.
It offers guidance to health and care commissioners, pointing out that the biggest block to commissioning advocacy for older people is the lack of a requirement for it in primary legislation. Commissioners therefore need an informed understanding to pull together the “patchwork of platforms” that can be used to support independent advocacy. OPAAL believes the lack of legislation not only makes it more difficult to raise and identify funds for advocacy, it also weakens the requirement for local authorities to make sure that advocacy
is available.